Blosnich JR, Henderson ER, Coulter RWS, Goldbach JT, Meyer IH. Sexual Orientation Change Efforts, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and Suicide Ideation and Attempt Among Sexual Minority Adults, United States, 2016–2018. American Journal of Public Health. 2020;110(7):1024-1030. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2020.305637.

Using data from the Generations Study, this report examines whether experiencing conversion therapy is associated with suicidal ideation and attempts among non-transgender LGB people after controlling for adverse childhood experiences. It was published in Research and Practice in May 2020.

Highlights

LGB people who underwent conversion therapy were nearly twice as likely to think about and attempt suicide compared to their peers.

LGB people who experienced adverse childhood experiences were more likely to have undergone conversion therapy.

Four out of five (81%) people who received conversion therapy received it from a religious leader.

31% received it from a health care provider

Abstract

Objectives. To examine how sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) are associated with suicide morbidity after controlling for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

Methods. Cross-sectional survey data are from the Generations survey, a nationally representative sample of 1518 nontransgender sexual minority adults recruited between March 28, 2016, and March 30, 2018, in the United States. Self-identified transgender individuals were included in a separate, related TransPop study. We used weighted multiple logistic regression analyses to assess the independent association of SOCE with suicidal ideation and suicide attempt while controlling for demographics and ACEs. Results. Approximately 7% experienced SOCE; of them, 80.8% reported SOCE from a religious leader. After adjusting for demographics and ACEs, sexual minorities exposed to SOCE had nearly twice the odds of lifetime suicidal ideation, 75% increased odds of planning to attempt suicide, and 88% increased odds of a suicide attempt with minor injury compared with sexual minorities who did not experience SOCE.

Conclusions. Over the lifetime, sexual minorities who experienced SOCE reported a higher prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts than did sexual minorities who did not experience SOCE. Public Health Implications. Evidence supports minimizing exposure of sexual minorities to SOCE and providing affirming care with SOCE-exposed sexual minorities.