Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy

Volume 25 | Number 1 Article 2

4-1-2000 and Change: Results of a NARTH Survey A. Dean Byrd

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Recommended Citation Byrd, A. Dean (2000) "Homosexuality and Change: Results of a NARTH Survey," Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy: Vol. 25 : No. 1 , Article 2. Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/irp/vol25/iss1/2

This Article or Essay is brought to you for free and open access by the All Journals at BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy by an authorized editor of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. VOLUME 25, NUMllER I AM CAP JOURNAL 2000

Homosexuality and Change: Results ofa NARTH Survey

A. DEAN BYRD PHD, MBA Thrasher Research Fund and University oj Utah School oj Medicine

SUMMARY OF SURVEY PURPOSE sought and experienced some degree of change:' It also AND METHODOLOGY explained that "participation in this study is completely vol­ untary and anonymous. You may choose not to participate, n 1996-97 the National Association for Research and and you have the right to refuse to answer any question:' The I Therapy ofHomosexuality (NARTH) conducted a nation­ survey also instructed the participants to mail the completed wide survey of people who have made efforts to change their survey directly to Dr. . (Nicolosi, Byrd & Potts, 2000b). Seventy­ There were seventy questions on the survey. Respondents nine members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day were asked to provide (1) basic background and demograph­ Saints (LOS) participated in this survey. This report presents ic information, (2) information about their past and current the results of the NARTH survey for these 79 LOS people. sexual orientation, behaviors, and experiences, (3) informa­ The purpose of the survey was to ask dissatisfied homosex­ tion about their experiences with , and (4) ually-oriented people who have attempted to change their sex­ information about their past and current psychological func­ ual orientation about their experiences concerning a variety of tioning. In making the ratings about their past functioning, issues including (1) whether conversion therapy has been participants were asked to recall the time in their life when helpful to them, (2) what types of changes have they experi­ they were most strongly experiencing homosexual thoughts, enced in their sexual orientation, and (3) what types of emo­ feelings, and/or behaviors and to rate how they perceived tional and psychological changes have they experienced since their sexual and psychological functioning at that time. They making efforts to change their sexual orientation. By survey­ were then asked to rate their current sexual and psychologi­ ing a large number of people who have been conversion ther­ cal functioning. These ratings were all made on 7-point apy clients, the survey allowed the researchers to determine in Likert scales. There were also 5 open-ended questions on the what ways people who have actually experienced conversion survey that asked participants to share their perceptions therapy believe that it has helped or harmed them. about the therapy they had received (e.g., what about it was helpful or unhelpful) and the changes they had experienced.

SURVEY DESCRIPTION

PROCEDURES The first page of the survey explained that the purpose of the survey was to "explore the experiences of individuals who During 1996, Dr.Joseph Nicolosi sent copies ofthe survey to have struggled with homosexuality during a time in their conversion therapist and clients throughout the United States lives, were dissatisfied with that orientation, and have since that he was able to identify through personal acquaintance and

10 AM CAP JOURNAL 2000 VOLUME 25, NUMBER I membership roles ofNARTH. He asked therapists to pass out (4%) were women. The average age ofthe clients was 36.3 years copies of the survey to their clients and former clients and to and the median age was 35.5. Seventy-one (91%) ofthe clients other therapists they knew who practiced conversion therapy. were Caucasian and 7 (9%) were some other racial back­ These therapists and clients were also asked to give surveys to ground. All of the clients included in this report were LOS therapists and clients they knew. Many surveys were also dis­ (total LOS sample size in the NARTH survey was 79). tributed at ex-gay ministry groups (e.g., Courage, Exodus Seventy-two (91%) of the clients said that religion or spiri­ International, ) and Homosexuals tuality is very important to them and 7 (9%) said it was some­ Anonymous. Advertisements were also placed in newsletters of what important. Sixty-seven (85%) of the clients said they these organizations and announced at their conferences. All attend religious services one or more times per week, 8 (10%) potential respondents were assured that their anonymity and said they attend one or two times per month, and 3 (4%) said confidentiality would be safeguarded. They were instructed not they attend about 6 - 10 times per year. These findings docu­ to write their names on the surveys. Respondents mailed the ment the fact that the LOS clients were overwhelmingly a completed surveys directly to Dr. Joseph Nicolosi. devout, religiously active group. Thirty (41%) of the clients were from Utah, 14 (19%) from SUMMARY OF TABLE I , and 29 (40%) were from a variety of other states CLIENT DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS (mostly from the western states of Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Texas and a small number were from Indiana, In Table 1 the demographic characteristics ofthe client sam­ Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia). The clients were well edu­ ple are presented. Seventy-six (96%) ofthe clients were men; 3 cated as a group: 21 (27%) had a graduate degree and 33 (42%)

TABLE 1 NARTH SURVEY: DEMOGRAPHICS OF LDS CLIENT SAM.PLE

VARIABLE N % MEAN S.D. MEDIAN VARIABLE N % MEAN S.D. MEDIAN

Gender Total Annual Household Income Male 76 96 L <$ I0,000 9 II Female 3 4 2. 10.000 - 19,000 10 13 3. 20.000 - 29,000 12 15 4. 30,000 - 39,000 ] 6 20 5. 40.000 - 49,000 ] 7 22 6. 40.000 - 69,000 6 8 7. >70.000 9 II

Age 76 36.3 9.93 35.5 Number of Dependents 79 3.0 2,4 LO

Race Marital Status Caucasian 71 9 ] L Married 29 37 Other 7 9 2. Divorced 7 9 3. Separated 3 4. Never Married 40 5 ] 5. Living with opposite sex partner 0 0

Religion Years of Marriage 29 14.6 9.6 13.0 LD$ 79 100

Religious Important Number of Children 35 3.7 1.5 4.0 1=very important 72 91 2=somewhat important 7 9 3=not important 0 0

How Often Attend Religious Services In loving, committed non-marital L One or more times per week 67 85 relationship with opposite sex partner 2. One or two times a month 8 10 1. Yes 4 6 3. 6-10 times a year 3 4 2. No 66 94 4. Once a year II 5. Less than once a year 0 0 6. Never 0 0

Place of Residence Age of First Homosexual Awareness 78 12.5 7.'2 12.0 1. Utah 30 4] 2. California 14 19 Childhood Homosexual Contact 3. Othcr 29 40 1. Ycs 49 62 2. No 30 38

Education Level Age of First Homosexual Contact 57 10.0 4.2 9.0 1. Some high school 0 0 2. High school graduate I I Partner's Age at First Homosexual Contact 60 14.5 9.4 13.0 3. Some college 23 29 4. College graduate 25 32 5. Some graduate school 8 10 Number of Homosexual Contacts 67 ]42.4 283.1 20.0 6. Graduate degree 21 27 7. Vocational school ]] 8. Other 0 0

II A. DEAN BYRD HOMOSEXUALITY AND CHANGE had a bachelor's degree. The clients' annual household incomes enced their first homosexual contact was 14.5 years (median = were quite evenly distributed from very little income to very 13.0). The average number of homosexual contacts with a much. Nine (11%) of the clients said their annual income was partner reported by the clients was 142.4; (median = 20.0). less than $10,000 and at the other extreme 9 clients said their The range of homosexual contacts was from 1 to 999+. annual income was greater than $70,000. The average number ofdependents supported by these incomes was 3.0. SUMMARY OF TABLE 2

Twenty-nine (37%) of the clients were married, 7 (9%) were LDS CLIENTS PERCEPTIONS OF THERAPY divorced, 2 (3%) were separated, and 40 (51%) had never been married. The average number ofyears ofmarriage for clients who In Table 2 the clients' perceptions of and experiences with were married was 14.6 and the median years of marriage was psychotherapy and other forms of treatment (e.g., counseling 13.0. The average number of children for the clients was 3.7 and from bishops) are presented. Sixty-five clients said they have the median number ofchildren was 4.0. Four (6%) ofthe clients participated in sexual reorientation therapy with a profession­ said they were in a loving, committed non-marital relationship al therapist, 38 said they have received assistance from a non­ with a member ofthe opposite sex; 66(94%) said they were not. professional counselor, and 10 said they have never received The average age when the clients first became aware that reorientation counseling. These number do not add up to 79 they had homosexual tendencies was 12.5 years (median = because some clients reported that they have received counsel­ 12.0 years). Forty-nine (62%) clients said they had experienced ing from both professional and non-professional counselors. homosexual contact when they were a child; 30 (38%) said they The average age that the clients entered reorientation therapy had not. The average age of the clients' first homosexual con­ was 28.8 years (median = 29.0 years). Sixty-one (92%) clients tact with another person was 10.0 years (median = 9.0 years). said that their primary reason for entering therapy was their The average age of the person with whom the clients experi- homosexual concerns; 5 (8%) said it was for other reasons. The

TABLE 2

LDS CLIENTS' PERCEPTIONS OF AND ExPERIENCES WITH THERAPY

VARlABLE N % MEAN S.D. MEDIAN VARlABLE N % MEAN S.D. MEDIAN

Type of Therapy* Helpfulness of Group Therapy I. Reorientation with professional 65 I. Very Helpful 33 55 therapist 38 2. Somewhat Helpful 25 42 2. Reorientation \vith non~profcssional or 3. Not Helpful 2 3 pastoral counselor 10 3. Never received reorientation therapy

Age Entered Therapy 69 28.8 8.8 29.0 Currently in Treatment I. Yes 43 62 2. No 26 38

Primary Reason for Therapy Time Since Treatment Termination (in 31 1.9 1.7 2.0 I. Homosexuality 61 92 years) 2. Other problems 5 8

Length of Therapy in Vears 68 4.2 4.1 3.0 Was Individual Treatment Termination Premature? I. Yes 12 31 2. No 27 69

Number of Therapists for Individual Therapy Was Group Treatment Termination I. One 17 25 Premature? 2. Two 18 26 1. Yes 11 33 3. 3-5 27 40 2. No 22 67 4. 6-10 6 9 5. >10 0 0

Most Helpful Therapist Reason for Premature Tennination I. Psychiatrist 2 3 I. Financial 8 30 2. Psychologist 21 32 2. Geographic 3 II 3. Psychoanalyst 0 0 3. Dissatisfaction with Therapist 6 22 4. LCSW 24 36 4. Other 10 37 5. MFT 8 12 6. Pastoral Counselor 5 8 7. Other 3 5 8. Don't know specialty 3 5

Number of Therapy Groups Attended for 57 1.6 1.0 1.0 Believe Treatment to Change Homosexuality Homosexuality Can Be Effective and Valuable 68 100 I. Yes 0 0 2. No

Total Number of Groups Sessions 54 43.3 38.3 25.0 Years Since Beginning of Change in Sexual 50 5.1 6.1 3.0 Orientation

*Numbers do not add up to 79 because some clients received therapy from both a professional therapist and from a pastoral counselor or bishop

12 AMCAP JOURNAL 2000 VOLUME 25, NUMBER I ----_._------_.-----_._----_._--- average length the clients said they had received ther­ TABLE 3 apy was 4.2 years (median = 3.0 years). Seventeen NARTH SURVEY: SEXUAL BEHAVIOR CHANGE DATA FOR LDS SAMPLE (25%) clients said they have received therapy from BEFORE AFTER one therapist, 18 (26%) they have had two therapists, CHI- ALPHA VARIABLE N % N % SQUARE LEVEL and 33 (49%) have had 3 to 5 therapists. Homosexual Orientation x2 ~ 43.3 P < .05 Twenty-four (36%) clients said their most helpful I. Exclusively homosexual 19 24.1 4 5.1 2. Almost entirely homosexual therapist was licensed clinical social worker 26 32-9 II 13.9 3. More homosexual than 25 31.6 26 32.9 (LCSW), 21 (32%) said a psychologist, and 8 (12%) heterosexual 6 7.6 13 16.5 4. Equally homosexual and 2 2.5 a marriage and family therapist. Pastoral counselors 17 2L5 heterosexual 1 1.3 6 7.6 were mentioned as most helpful 5 times (8%) and 5. More heterosexual than 0 0 2 2-5 homosexual psychiatrists 2 times (3%). 6. Almost entirely heterosexual The average number of therapy groups the clients 7. Exclusively heterosexual had attended was 1.6 (median = 1.0) and the average Frequency of Masturbation Alone to x2 ~ 46.1 P < .05 Gay Pornography number oftherapy sessions attended was 43.3 (medi­ I. Very often 26 33.3 3 3.8 ]4_1 an 38.3). Group therapy was viewed as helpful by 2. 22 28.2 II = 3. 18 23.1 6 7.7 33 (55%) ofthe clients and as somewhat helpful by 25 4. 8 10.3 9 11.5 5_ 3 H 17 21.8 (42%) of them. Forty-three (62%) of the clients were 6. 0 0 23 29.5 still in treatment at the time of the survey and 26 7. Never I 1.3 9 11.5 (38%) said they were not. The average length of time Frequency ofHomosexual Behavior x2 ~ 39.7 p> .05 with a Partner since treatment was terminated was 1.9 years (medi­ I. Very Often II 14.1 4 5.1 an = 2.0 years). Twelve clients felt they had terminat­ 2. 15 19.2 3 3.8 3. 15 19.2 7 9.0 ed their individual therapy prematurely and 27 said 4. 8 10.3 3 H they had not. Eleven clients felt they had prematurely 5. 7 9.0 4 5.1 6. 10 12.8 13 16.7 terminated their group therapy and 22 said they had 7_ Never 12 15A 44 56A not. Eight clients said their primary reason for pre­ maturely terminating therapy was financial, 6 said because of themselves as "more heterosexual than homosexual:' After dissatisfaction with the therapist, 3 said because of geographic making efforts to change their sexual orientation, only 4 reasons, and 10 said it was for other unspecified reasons. (5.1 %) clients perceive themselves as "exclusively homosexual;' Sixty-eight clients (100% ofthose who responded to this ques­ 11 (13.9%) perceive that they are now"almost entirely homo­ tion) said they believed treatment to change homosexuality can sexual;' and 26 (32.9%) perceive that they are now "more be effective and valuable. The average length of time that had homosexual than heterosexual:' Two (2.5%) clients now per­ elapsed since the clients first experienced changes in their sexual ceive themselves as "entirely heterosexual;' 6 (7.6%) perceive orientation was 5.1 years (median = 5.0; range = 1 to 28 years). themselves as "almost entirely heterosexual;' and 17 (21.5%) perceive themselves as "more heterosexual than homosexual:' SUMMARY OF TABLE 3 The chi-square statistic, which is a test of whether the SEXUAL BEHAVIOR CHANGE DATA observed frequency changes from before treatment (or change) to after treatment (or change) was greater than expected by Table 3 reveals that as a group these clients have experi­ chance was 43.3 (p. <.05). This indicates that as a group the enced a significant shift in their sexual orientation and behav­ proportion of clients who shifted at least some degree from a ior. At the time these clients felt they were struggling the homosexual to heterosexual orientation was statistically signif­ most with homosexual tendencies, 19 (24.1%) of them per­ icant. In summary, before treatment (or change), 45 (57%) ceived that they were "exclusively homosexual;' 26 (32.9%) clients viewed themselves as entirely or almost entirely homo­ perceived that they were"almost entirely homosexual;' and 25 sexual whereas after treatment or change only 15 (19%) viewed (31.6%) perceived that they were"more homosexual than het­ themselves this way. Before treatment or change only 3 (3.8%) erosexual:' There were no clients who perceived themselves as clients viewed themselves as more heterosexual than homosex­ "exclusively heterosexual;' 1 (1.3%) that perceived himself as ual in their orientation whereas after treatment or change 25 "almost entirely heterosexual;' and 2 (2.5%) that perceived (31.6%) perceived themselves in this way.

13 A. DEAN BYRD HOMOSEXUALITY AND CHANGE

Significant shifts in the proportion of clients struggling with homosexual TABLE 4 behaviors (i.e., masturbation alone to NARTH Survey: Psychological and Interpersonal Changes for LDS Client Sample gay pornography and homosexual BEFORE AFTER behavior with a partner) were also VARIABLE NM SO M SO T-VALUE observed in Table 3. Before treatment Self-Acceptance 76 2.3 1.2 5.1 1.1 17.5*** only 1 (1.3%) client said he "never" or Self~understanding 78 2.1 1.0 5.4 1.2 19.9*** "almost never" masturbated to gay Trust of Same Sex 78 2.2 1.4 5.0 1.4 13.4*** pornography whereas after treatment Trust ofOpposite Sex 77 3.1 1.8 4.6 1.4 5.9*** 32 (41%) clients said this. Before treat­ Personal Power 77 2.3 1.2 4.9 1.3 14.1 *** ment 12 (15.4%) clients said they Ability to Resolve Interpersonal Conflict 78 2.5 1.4 4.8 1.3 13.0*** "never" engaged in homosexual behav­ ior with a partner whereas after treat­ Sense of Masculinity 74 1.9 1.0 4.6 1.3 18.0*** ment 44 (56.4%) clients said this. Sense of Assertiveness 78 2.7 1.5 4.9 1.2 13.1 *** Self-esteem 78 2.2 1.3 4.9 1.2 18.\***

SUMMARY OF TABLE 4 Relating with Straight Members of the Same Sex 78 2.7 1.4 4.5 1.3 11.1***

PSYCHOLOGICAL, INTERPERSONAL, Sexual Relations with Opposite Sex 46 2.8 1.6 3.9 2.0 3.43***

AND SEXUAL CHANGES Loneliness 78 2.2 1.3 4.2 1.4 9.7***

Satisfying Relationships 78 28 1.5 4.6 1.4 10.7***

Table 4 documents how much psy­ Emotional Stability 78 2.5 1.3 4.7 1.3 13.2*** chological, interpersonal, and sexual Emotional Maturity 76 2.6 1.3 4.8 1.2 15.1 *** change and growth the clients reported Spirituality 79 3.3 1.7 4.9 1.6 6.4*** they have experienced after receiving Relationship with Church 78 3.8 1.9 4.9 1.8 3.8*** treatment or making efforts to change Relationship with God 78 3.4 1.7 5.1 1.5 7.1 *** their sexual orientation. The mean item Relationship with Father 74 2.5 1.6 4.3 1.7 9.5*** ratings before treatment across a wide Relationship with Mother 77 4.3 1.7 5.0 1.6 3.7*** variety of important psychological, Relationship with Family 76 3.7 1.6 4.8 1.4 7.85*** interpersonal, and sexual variables (e.g., Frequency of Self~DefeatingBehaviors 78 2.1 1.2 4.5 13.1 *** self-esteem, personal power, depres­ 1.3 sion, relationships with parents, fre­ Depression 79 2.7 1.5 4.8 1.3 9.7*** quency and intensity of homosexual Frequency of Homosexual Thoughts 79 1.9 1.2 3.5 1.6 6.8*** thoughts) on a 7-point Likert scale Intensity of Homosexual Thoughts 78 1.8 1.1 4.0 1.6 9.4*** ranged from 1.7 to 4.3 with the means Distress from Homosexual Thoughts 78 1.7 0.9 4.4 1.8 11.3*** on most items ranging from 2.0 to 3.4. Interest in Heterosexual Dating 70 2.7 1.6 3.8 1.9 4.6*** Standard deviations for the items Belief in the Possibility of Heterosexual Marriage 68 3.8 2.1 5.2 1.9 4.4*** ranged from 0.9 to 2.1. The mean item Notes: ***=p<.OO 1; Rating scale was a 7-point Likert scale (higher scores indicate better adjustment (e.g .• mOre self-esteem, less depression, reduced ti-equcncy of homosexual thoughts, etc.). ratings after treatment ranged from 3.5 to 5.4 with the means on most irems ranging from 4.5 to 5.1. Standard deviations for SUMMARY OF TABLE 5 the post-treatment items ranged from 1.1 to 2.0. SEXUAL BEHAVIOR CHANGE DATA FOR EXCLUSIVELY Thus, the magnitude of the positive changes reported by HOMOSEXUAL LDS CLIENTS the clients was quite large. Most changes ranged from 1 to 3 standard deviation units. These are both statistically and clin­ Table 5 reveals that as a group the clients who perceived ically significant levels of change (Lambert & Bergin, 1994). themselves as exclusively homosexual before treatment experi­ Higher numbers indicate better functioning, so the clients enced a significant shift in their sexual orientation and behav­ perceived that they were doing much better psychologically, ior. After making efforts to change his sexual orientation, 1 interpersonally, and sexually after treatment or change. (5.3%) client now perceives himself as "entirely heterosexual;' 1

14 AMCAP JOURNAL 2000 VOLUME 25, NUMBER I

(5.3%) perceives himself as "almost entirely hetero- TABLE 5 sexual;' and 2 (10.5%) perceive themselves as "more NARTH SURVEY: SEXUAL BEHAVIOR CHANGE DATA FOR EXCLUSIVELY HOMOSEXUAL LDS CLIENTS heterosexual than homosexual:' Only 4 (21.1%) clients still perceive themselves as "exclusively homo­ BEFORE AFTER sexual;' 4 (21.1%) perceive themselves as "almost CHI- ALPHA VARIABLE N % N % SQUARE LEVEL entirely homosexual;' and 6 (31.6%) perceive them­ Homosexual Orientation selves as "more homosexual than heterosexual:' I. Exclusively homosexual 19 100 4 21.1 2. Almost entirely homosexual Significant (p>.05) declines in the proportion of 4 21.1 3. More homosexual than heterosexual 6 31.6 clients struggling with homosexual behaviors (i.e., 4. Equally homosexual and 1 5.3 heterosexual 2 10.5 masturbation alone to gay pornography and homo­ 5. More heterosexual than homosexual 1 5.3 sexual behavior with a partner) were observed in 6. Almost entirely heterosexual 1 5.3 7. Exclusively heterosexual Table 5. Before treatment only 1 (53%) client said Frequency of Masturbation Alone to x2 ~ 20.6 p> .05 he "never" masturbated to gay pornography and 1 Gay Pornography (5.3%) said he "almost never" does whereas after 1. Very often 12 632 2 10.5 2. 3 15.8 I 5.3 treatment 2 clients said they "never" do and 4 3. 1 5.3 2 10.5 4. 1 5.3 0 a (21.1 %) said they "almost never" do. Before treat­ 5. I 5.3 8 42.1 ment 5 (263%) clients said they "never" engage in 6. 0 0 4 21.1 7. Never 1 5.3 2 10.5 homosexual behavior with a partner whereas after x2 ~ 15.7 p> .05 treatment 14 (73.7%) clients said this. Frequency of Homosexual Behavior with a Partner 1. Vcry Often 2 10.5 0 0 2. 3 15.8 0 0 SUMMARY OF TABLE 6 3. 2 10.5 1 53 PSYCHOLOGICAL, INTERPERSONAL, 4. 5 26.3 0 0 5. 1 5.3 1 5.3 AND SEXUAL CHANGES FOR EXCLUSIVELY 6. I 5.3 3 15.8 HOMOSEXUAL LOS CLIENTS 7. Never 5 26.3 14 73.7

Table 6 documents how much psychologicaL interperson­ SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS aL and sexual change and growth the clients reported they have experienced after receiving treatment or making efforts Although many of the LOS clients were still struggling to to change their sexual orientation. The mean item ratings a considerable degree with homosexual tendencies at the before treatment across a wide variety of important psycho­ time they were surveyed, the majority of them reported that logicaL interpersonaL and sexual variables (e.g., self-esteem, they had experienced some reductions in the frequency personal power, depression, relationships with parents, fre­ and intensity of their homosexual behaviors, thoughts, and quency and intensity of homosexual thoughts) on a 7-point feelings. A small percentage of the clients had entirely or Likert scale ranged from 1.2 to 4.8 with the means on most almost entirely overcome their homosexual tendencies. It items ranging from 2.0 to 3.5. Standard deviations for the· appears that the changes in sexual orientation reported by items ranged from 0.6 to 2.1. The mean item ratings after the LOS subgroup were somewhat more modest than those rreatment ranged from 23 to 5.7 with the means on most reported by the entire group of respondents in the NARTH items ranging from 4.5 to 5.5. Standard deviations for the survey (Nicolosi, Byrd & Potts, 2000b). However, the LOS post-treatment items range from 0.9 to 2.0. respondents in the NARTH survey were not a random sam­ Thus, the magnitude of the positive changes reported by ple of all LOS people who have received reorientation ther­ the exclusively homosexual clients was quite large. Most apy, and so we cannot safely conclude that LOS people who changes ranged from 1 to 3 standard deviation units. These struggle with homosexual tendencies are less likely to make are both statistically and clinically significant levels of change significant changes in their sexual orientation. We can only (Lambert & Bergin, 1994). Higher numbers indicate better conclude that the sample of LOS respondents in the functioning, so the clients perceived that they were doing NARTH survey reported somewhat more modest changes much better psychologically, interpersonally, and sexually in sexual orientation compared to the rest of the NARTH after treatment or change. sample. Further research is needed to determine what

IS A. DEAN BYRD HOMOSEXUALITY AND CHANGE variables are predictive of greater change for LOS TABLE 6 clients and to determine whether the efficacy of NARTH Survey: Psychological and Interpersonal Changes for Exclusively Homosexual LDS Clients reorientation therapy for LOS clients can be enhanced. BEFORE AFTER VARIABLE N M SD M SD T-VALUE A large majority of the LOS clients reported Self-Acceptance 18 2.2 1.6 5.2 1.2 7.9*** that reorientation therapy or non-professional Self-understanding 18 1.9 1.0 5.7 0.9 10.8*** counseling had helped them psychologically and Tmst of Same Sex 18 2.2 1.7 5.3 1.1 7.0*** interpersonally even though it had not entirely Trust of Opposite Sex 18 3.1 1.9 4.6 1.4 2.3* extinguished their homosexual tendencies. This is Personal Power 18 2.0 1.2 5.2 J.J 7.5*** a very important and clinically significant outcome Ability to Resolve Interpersonal Conflict 18 2.3 1.6 4.9 1.3 6.1 *** in light of the fact that most LOS clients have Sense of Masculinity 18 1.9 1.2 4.8 1.3 7.4*** rejected the gay lifestyle due to their religious Sense ofAssertiveness 19 2.4 1.6 4.6 J.J 7.1 *** beliefs and values and have no intention of affirm­ Self-esteem 18 2.0 1.5 4.7 1.4 6.8*** Relating with Straight Members of the Same Sex 19 2.3 1.5 4.5 1.3 7.61 *** ing the gay lifestyle. For clients who are committed Sexual Relations with Opposite Sex 11 1.3 0.6 2.3 2.0 1.7 to a heterosexual lifestyle, although they may Loneliness 18 1.9 1.4 4.1 1.4 4.2*** struggle to some degree with homosexual tenden­ Satisfying Relationships 18 3.1 1.7 4.8 1.5 4.3*** cies, even moderate reductions in the frequency Emotional Stability 18 2.6 1.4 4.7 1.2 5.5*** and intensity of their homosexual tendencies can Emotional Maturity 17 2.4 1.5 4.9 1.2 5.8*** bring them great relief. In addition, the increased Spirituality 19 3.4 1.8 5.3 1.6 4.0*** self-acceptance, spirituality, and self-esteem, as Relationship with Church 19 3.2 2.1 5.5 1.7 3.8*** well as the enhanced relationships, reported by Relationship with God 19 3.4 1.9 5.5 1.3 4.7*** these clients are changes that make a big difference Relationship with Father 18 2.2 1.5 4.0 1.8 4.9*** Relationship with Mother 19 4.8 1.6 5.3 1.7 1.1 in the quality of life of such people. Relationship with Family 18 3.6 1.7 4.8 1.6 3.6***

Frcquency of Self-Defeating Behaviors 19 1.9 1.4 4.1 1.2 5.3***

Dean Byrd PhD, holds appointments in the Dept. ofPsychiatry Depression 19 2.7 1.6 4.5 1.3 3.4*** and the Dept. of Family & Consumer Studies, University of Frequency of Homosexual Thoughts 19 1.6 0.8 3.3 1.6 4.4***

Utah. He is the author offour books, numerous scientific arti­ Intensity of Homosexual Thoughts 19 1.5 0.9 3.8 1.7 5.1 *** cles and book chapters, and has presented in many national and Distress from Homosexual Thoughts 19 1.2 0.5 4.4 1.6 8.1 *** international forums. Address for correspondence: A. Dean Interest in Heterosexual Dating 18 2.1 1.4 3.6 2.0 2.4* Byrd PhD, Thrasher Research Fund, 15 E. So. Temple 3rd Belief in the Possibility of Heterosexual Marriage 17 2.8 2.1 4.9 2.0 2.8** Notes: *** = p <.001, "'* = p <.01. '" = p <.05; Rating scale was a 7-point Likert scale (higher scores indicate Floor, , UT 84105. (801) 240-3386 bcttcr adjustment (e.g., more self-estecm, less depression, reduced frequency of homosexual thoughts, etc.).

REFERENCES Byrd, A. D. (1993) An LDS reparative approach for male homosexuality. AMCAPJoumal, 19,91-104. Byrd, A. D., and Chamberlain, M. (1993) Coping with issues of homosexuality: a qualitative study of6 . AMCAPJournal, 19,47-89. Lambert, M. J., and Bergin, A. E. (1994) The effectiveness of psychotherapy. In A. E. Bergin and S. L. Garfield (Eds.), Handbook of psy- chotherapy and behavior change (4th ed., pp. 1443-189). New York: Wiley. Nicolosi, J., Byrd, A. D., and Potts, R. W. (2000a) Beliefs and practices of therapists who pracrice sexual reorientation psychotherapy. Psychological Reports, 86, 689-702. Nicolosi,]., Byrd, A. D., and Potts, R. W. (2000b) Retrospective self-reports ofchanges in homosexual orientation: a consumer survey of con­ version therapy clients. Psychological Reports. 86, 1071-1088.

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