A study showing that sexual orientation is changeable and that attempts to change are not harmful was presented at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association (APA) in Toronto on Sunday.
Conducted by Dr. Stanton Jones, provost professor of psychology at Wheaton College, and Dr. Mark Yarhouse, professor of psychology at Regent University, the research looked at a group of individuals involved in the Exodus program over a period of seven years. Exodus International uses a Christian-based approach to bring about change in sexual orientation.
They found 23 percent of those participating reported a change in their sexual orientation. Thirty percent noted a dramatic decrease in homosexual attraction, which they categorized as successful change.
Randy Thomas, executive vice president of Exodus, has experienced change in his own life.
“This study not only gives credence to our lives,” he said, “but positively contributes to the ongoing cultural dialogue over sexual and gender identity, as well.”
The research also pointed out that those who attempted to change their same-sex attractions were not harmed. And many participants reported a “diminishing of psychological distress” the longer they pursued “reorientation.”
Many at the convention agreed more research is needed.
“We hope that future research efforts will make room for our experiences,” said Thomas, “so that personal autonomy and religious diversity are respected both in the field of science and in the public arena.”
For years, the APA has asserted that sexual orientation is not changeable, and that the potential risks of therapy are great, including depression, anxiety and self-destructive behavior.
In 1973, the APA Council and the Board of Directors adopted the Leona Tyler Principle, a precaution that directed the organization’s public statements to be founded on research, not political correctness.
Dr. Jones said in the ensuing years, the principle has taken a back seat as the association bowed to cultural pressure.
“Since then, it’s passed resolutions on everything from boxing to Zionism,” he said. “So frustration has grown around APA making pronouncements where it doesn’t have a good scientific or professional basis to make those pronouncements.”
The APA recently released a task-force report that shows some patients may want to change, but stops short of giving its blessing to such programs.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To read about the first 3 phases of the Yarhouse and Jones study, see our Issue Analysis page.
