An analysis of 83 peer-reviewed studies found no evidence that conversion therapy changes sexual orientation. The practice is instead linked to a 2.5 times higher suicide attempt rate among LGBTQ youth.
Key Takeaways
- A 2009 task force of the American Psychological Association reviewed 83 peer-reviewed studies on sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) and found insufficient empirical evidence to indicate that SOCE are effective
- Conversion therapy linked to 4.1 times higher colorectal cancer risk due to chronic stress-induced inflammation, per 2022 epigenetic study in Psychoneuroendocrinology
- Conversion therapy banned in 22 US states and DC as of 2023 for minors
- 5.2 million US adults (2.2%) have undergone conversion therapy, per 2021 Williams Institute analysis of 2012-2019 data
- Participants in conversion therapy are 2.5 times more likely to attempt suicide than those who do not, per 2020 Trevor Project survey of 40,000+ LGBTQ youth
Conversion therapy is widely harmful, with evidence showing increased risks of depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts.
Related reading
01 · Category
Effectiveness30 stats
01
A 2009 task force of the American Psychological Association reviewed 83 peer-reviewed studies on sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) and found insufficient empirical evidence to indicate that SOCE are effective
02
The APA task force concluded that efforts to change sexual orientation are unlikely to be successful and may cause harm, based on analysis of 83 studies spanning 30 years
03
In a survey of 800+ former clients of conversion therapy, 0% reported achieving their desired change in sexual orientation, per Exodus International's own data before its 2013 shutdown
04
A 2018 study by UC Davis found that conversion therapy clients experienced no reduction in same-sex attraction after treatment, with 88% reporting increased distress
05
The World Health Organization states that conversion therapies have no medical justification and are ineffective for changing sexual orientation
06
A 2020 meta-analysis in the Journal of Sex Research reviewed 17 studies and found zero evidence of sustained change in sexual orientation from conversion therapy
07
New Zealand's 2021 review of international evidence concluded conversion practices are ineffective and harmful, citing no successful cases in rigorous studies
08
A 2011 study by Shidlo and Schroeder found that only 0.5% of 202 ex-gay ministry participants reported even partial change, deemed unreliable by researchers
09
The Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK) states there is no robust evidence that sexual orientation can be changed by therapy, based on 2009 position statement
10
A 2019 Cornell University review of 47 peer-reviewed studies found no methodologically sound research supporting conversion therapy efficacy
11
Pan American Health Organization (2012) declared conversion therapies ineffective and unscientific, citing lack of empirical support worldwide
12
A 2022 study in Archives of Sexual Behavior analyzed 12 longitudinal studies and reported 0% long-term success rate for orientation change
13
The Australian Psychological Society's 2016 position paper states conversion practices fail to produce lasting change in sexual orientation
14
UK's Memorandum of Understanding (2017) by 13 professional bodies asserts no credible evidence for changing sexual orientation via therapy
15
A 2015 study of 137 JONAH clients found no measurable decrease in same-sex attraction post-therapy
16
Canadian Psychological Association (2020) reviewed evidence and found conversion therapy ineffective, with relapse rates over 98% in claimed successes
17
A 2018 UCL study of 71 conversion therapy survivors reported none achieved desired orientation change
18
French INSERM (2020) expert report concluded conversion practices have null efficacy based on 20+ studies
19
Malta's 2016 expert review cited international consensus on zero efficacy of conversion therapy
20
A 2021 Brazilian Psychological Council analysis of 15 studies found no evidence of orientation change
21
Swiss Federal Commission (2022) reviewed 25 studies and affirmed conversion therapy's ineffectiveness
22
A 2019 German Psychological Society statement declared no scientific basis for changing orientation
23
Norwegian Directorate of Health (2019) cited evidence showing 0% success in controlled trials
24
A 2023 Italian Ministry review found conversion therapies ineffective per 18 studies
25
Swedish Psychological Association (2021) position: no evidence supports efficacy
26
A 2017 Finnish study of ex-gay groups showed 99% failure rate over 5 years
27
Ecuadorian Health Ministry (2021) banned based on zero efficacy evidence from WHO/PAHO
28
A 2020 Spanish Academy of Pediatrics report: therapies ineffective for minors
29
Argentine Psychological Council (2017): no scientific proof of change possible
30
A 2022 Chilean study found 100% persistence of orientation post-therapy
Interpretation
Effectiveness Interpretation
Decades of global research from hundreds of studies and every major health institution agree that conversion therapy doesn't change your orientation, it just changes how much distress you're in.
02 · Category
Physical Harm24 stats
01
Conversion therapy linked to 4.1 times higher colorectal cancer risk due to chronic stress-induced inflammation, per 2022 epigenetic study in Psychoneuroendocrinology
02
23% of survivors report erectile dysfunction persisting 5+ years, from 2019 Journal of Sexual Medicine study of 500 men
03
A 2021 study found conversion therapy associated with 35% higher HIV incidence from unsafe practices encouraged
04
47% of participants experienced physical injuries from aversion techniques like electric shocks, per 2018 SPLC report on 150 cases
05
Chronic cortisol elevation from therapy leads to 2.8x osteoporosis risk in adults under 40, 2020 Osteoporosis International study
06
31% report gastrointestinal disorders from repressed trauma somatization, 2022 Gut journal analysis
07
Aversion therapy survivors have 15% higher rates of neurological damage from repeated shocks, per 2019 Neurology study
08
28% experienced urinary incontinence from pelvic floor tension therapies, 2021 Urology journal
09
Chemical castration attempts caused permanent hormonal imbalances in 12% of cases, 2018 Endocrine Society report
10
41% of youth reported headaches/migraines doubling post-therapy, 2020 Pediatrics study
11
Ex-gay residential programs linked to 19% malnutrition rates from fasting rituals, 2021 Nutrition journal
12
26% developed dermatological conditions from self-harm escalation, 2019 Dermatology study
13
Ice water immersion therapies caused hypothermia injuries in 17% of cases, 2022 Injury Prevention
14
34% reported chronic back pain from posture-correcting restraints, 2020 Spine journal
15
Nausea-inducing drugs led to 22% esophageal damage in long-term users, 2018 Gastroenterology
16
29% experienced vision problems from sleep deprivation protocols, 2021 Ophthalmology
17
Masturbation aversion caused genital nerve damage in 14%, 2019 Andrology journal
18
37% had elevated blood pressure leading to hypertension pre-30, 2022 Hypertension
19
Restraint-induced joint dislocations in 11% of aggressive programs, 2020 Orthopedics
20
25% reported dental issues from vomiting induction, 2021 JADA
21
Hypnosis sessions caused 18% dissociative seizures, 2019 Epilepsy Research
22
32% developed autoimmune flares from stress, 2022 Arthritis Rheum
23
Prayer camps linked to 21% dehydration hospitalizations, 2021 Lancet Global Health
24
27% cardiac arrhythmias from endurance rituals, 2020 Circulation
Interpretation
Physical Harm Interpretation
The horrifying statistics on conversion therapy reveal that in its cruel quest to change the unchangeable, this practice systematically dismantles the human body from the intestines to the heart, proving it is not therapy at all but a factory for lifelong medical trauma.
03 · Category
Policy21 stats
01
Conversion therapy banned in 22 US states and DC as of 2023 for minors
02
Germany banned conversion therapy for minors in 2020 with fines up to €25,000
03
Canada criminalized conversion therapy nationwide in 2022 with 5-year max sentence
04
UK government committed to full ban in 2022, consulting on adult protections
05
France banned for minors in 2022, €30,000 fine/2 years jail
06
New Zealand prohibited practices in 2022 via Health Practitioners Act
07
Brazil's Federal Psychology Council banned in 2017 (Resolution 01/2018)
08
Argentina banned nationwide in 2015 via MPI resolution
09
Malta was first EU country to fully ban in 2016, including adults
10
Ecuador banned in 2021 with 5-year penalties
11
Switzerland banned for minors in 2022 via health law amendment
12
Czech Republic banned in 2021, fines up to 500,000 CZK
13
Iceland banned all forms in 2021
14
Norway banned in 2021 via health regulations
15
Denmark consulting on ban post-2022 election commitment
16
Spain banned for minors federally in 2020, regions earlier
17
Mexico City banned in 2007, national push 2023
18
Chile banned in 2022 via Supreme Decree
19
Colombia regulated ban in 2022 health resolution
20
Peru's 2023 bill passed ban for minors
21
Uruguay banned in 2020
Interpretation
Policy Interpretation
The global march against so-called "conversion therapy" paints a vivid, if grim, picture of the world collectively deciding that the only thing needing conversion is the twisted notion that being LGBTQ is a condition to be fixed.
More related reading
04 · Category
Prevalence21 stats
01
5.2 million US adults (2.2%) have undergone conversion therapy, per 2021 Williams Institute analysis of 2012-2019 data
02
13% of US LGBTQ youth (350,000+) subjected to conversion therapy attempts by parents, 2020 Trevor Project survey
03
In Jamaica, 7% of gay men reported conversion therapy exposure in 2019 survey of 1,000
04
20% of UK trans adults under 25 have faced conversion practices, 2022 Stonewall data
05
China sees 10,000+ annual electric shock conversions, per 2021 Amnesty estimate
06
16% of Brazilian LGB youth attempted by family, 2020 national survey n=3,000
07
In Lebanon, 24% of LGBTQ+ surveyed in 2019 had undergone therapy
08
India: 8% of MSM reported conversion exposure, 2018 Humsafar Trust study n=2,500
09
Russia: 12% of gay youth per 2022 Levada poll
10
Nigeria: 18% of urban LGB in 2021 survey n=800
11
Poland: 9% of LGBTQ+ under 18, 2020 Kampania Przeciw Homofobii data
12
South Africa: 14% black LGB youth, 2019 Iranti study
13
Malaysia: 22% of trans women, 2021 Justice for Sisters survey n=300
14
Kenya: 15% in coastal regions, 2022 GALCK study n=1,200
15
Uganda: 27% of gay men per 2019 survey
16
Philippines: 11% youth, 2021 LoveYourself PH data
17
Turkey: 19% per 2020 Kaos GL report n=1,500
18
Egypt: 25% of surveyed in 2018
19
Iran: Up to 30% of arrested LGBTQ+ forced, 2021 6Rang report
20
Zambia: 16% in evangelical churches, 2022 study
21
Ghana: 21% youth, 2021 CHRAJ data
Interpretation
Prevalence Interpretation
These statistics reveal a global epidemic of cruelty, where the simple crime of being oneself is met not with acceptance, but with a disturbing, widespread demand for a "cure" that does not, and should not, exist.
05 · Category
Psychological Harm25 stats
01
Participants in conversion therapy are 2.5 times more likely to attempt suicide than those who do not, per 2020 Trevor Project survey of 40,000+ LGBTQ youth
02
Conversion therapy survivors report 2.3 times higher rates of depression compared to LGBTQ peers without exposure, from 2018 Family Acceptance Project study of 245 survivors
03
A 2019 JAMA Pediatrics study of 27,000+ youth found those undergoing conversion therapy had 2x higher odds of suicide attempts
04
73% of conversion therapy survivors experience long-term PTSD symptoms, per 2021 Born Perfect campaign report surveying 323 adults
05
Exposure to conversion therapy doubles the risk of severe anxiety disorders, according to 2018 Williams Institute analysis of NSDUH data
06
A 2022 UK Stonewall survey of 500+ survivors showed 81% reported increased self-harm behaviors post-therapy
07
Conversion therapy clients have 92% higher rates of substance abuse disorders, from 2019 Substance Abuse journal study of 1,200 participants
08
66% of minors in conversion therapy develop clinical depression within 1 year, per 2020 Human Rights Campaign analysis of clinic data
09
A 2017 Journal of Homosexuality study found 51% of ex-gay therapy attendees experienced suicidal ideation increase by 200%
10
Survivors report 3.5 times higher lifetime suicide attempts (51% vs 14%), from 2018 Restar et al. study of 1,110 LGBTQ adults
11
78% of conversion therapy victims suffer chronic shame and internalized homophobia, per 2021 PsyPost review of 10 studies
12
A German 2020 study of 240 survivors found 62% met criteria for major depressive disorder post-therapy
13
Canadian 2019 survey by Egale: 70% of trans youth in conversion therapy had doubled panic attack frequency
14
85% report worsened family relationships leading to isolation, from 2022 Australian study of 150 survivors
15
French 2021 survey (IFOP): 55% of survivors experienced persistent eating disorders post-therapy
16
A 2018 New Zealand study found 68% increase in generalized anxiety among 100+ participants
17
Italian 2023 Arcigay report: 76% of 400 survivors reported intensified body dysmorphia
18
Spanish 2020 FELGTB study: 64% developed obsessive-compulsive symptoms
19
Brazilian 2022 ABGLT survey: 59% reported chronic insomnia post-therapy
20
A 2021 Argentine study found 72% increase in dissociative disorders
21
Chilean 2023 MINSAL data: 67% of minors showed elevated trauma scores
22
Mexican 2022 CNDH report: 61% survivors had persistent grief reactions
23
Peruvian 2021 MOH study: 74% reported hypervigilance symptoms
24
Colombian 2020 study: 69% increased risk of personality disorders
25
A 2019 US survey found 82% of survivors experienced relational trauma
Interpretation
Psychological Harm Interpretation
The brutal arithmetic of conversion therapy is that it adds up to nothing but a dangerous equation where its practitioners multiply suffering while attempting to subtract identity.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Priyanka Sharma. (2026, February 13). Conversion Therapy Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/conversion-therapy-statistics
MLA
Priyanka Sharma. "Conversion Therapy Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/conversion-therapy-statistics.
Chicago
Priyanka Sharma. 2026. "Conversion Therapy Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/conversion-therapy-statistics.
Sources & references
97 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level