Sexual Orientation Change Efforts: Health Associations, Sexual Identity Labeling, and Reports of Change by Engagement Status

We analyzed a socio-politically diverse sample (N = 1,412) of cisgender adults who reported experiencing or having experienced same-sex attractions to compare the degree of depression and flourishing between three statuses of sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE): No SOCE (n = 329), Ongoing SOCE (n = 326), and Ended SOCE (n = 757). ANCOVA results controlling for age indicated that the participants with Ongoing SOCE reported greater depression and less flourishing than participants in either the group with No SOCE or who had Ended SOCE, who had similar health outcomes, with small effect sizes. However, consideration of scale norms and structure suggested these group differences may not be interpretively meaningful. Chi-square analysis with medium effect size indicated that participants rejecting an LGBQ+ identity were disproportionately found in the group with Ongoing SOCE while over 60% of LGBQ+-identified participants reported having ended their SOCE. Overall, 11%-21% (88-159/757) of participants reported either always having or developing enough other-sex sexual attraction to enjoy other-sex sexual behavior. Nineteen participants who did not pursue SOCE also reported this change. Duration of SOCE was not associated with health outcomes and the number of years elapsed following SOCE was not correlated with health outcomes after controlling for age. Finally, we did not find evidence that the age of onset of SOCE (as a minor or an adult) was related to participant reports of depression or flourishing. We conclude by discussing possible reasons for why these findings are somewhat counter to established narratives.