Transformational therapy is associated with increased risk of heart disease in LGBTQ+ young people

Ben Sullivan

A new study found that young LGBTQ+ individuals receiving translational therapy practices face higher cardiovascular health risks, which increases these controversial interventions have been well-proven psychological hazards to physical health problems.

The study published in the JAMA Network Open showed that young people who experienced changing their sexual orientation or gender identity showed elevated, inflammatory markers and higher diagnoses of hypertension than peers who were not exposed to such practices.

Northwestern University researchers examined data on 703 genders and a minority of young people assigned men at birth, with an average age of about 27 years. About 10% of participants reported participants experiencing translational therapy, also known in the medical literature as the work on sexual orientation and gender identity change (Sogice).

“These findings highlight the need for public health and policy interventions to implement and strengthen bans on Sogice practices,” the study authors noted. The research team was led by Dr. Brian Mustanski of Northwestern University.

The study found that people exposed to conversion therapy had an average of 3-5 points higher than those without such exposure, even taking into account factors such as age, race, education level, and health behavior. Those with longer exposure periods (more than a year) showed a more obvious effect.

Although previous studies have firmly determined that conversion therapy increases the risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide, this study breaks new ground by identifying specific physiological effects that can lead to serious long-term health consequences.

Given the relatively young age of participants, this finding is particularly worrying, suggesting that cardiovascular risk appears early and may worsen over time.

Practice is still underway despite the ban

Despite being smeared by major medical and psychological organizations, conversion therapy is still being performed throughout the United States. Currently, 23 states and the District of Columbia have laws that prohibit conversion therapy entirely, while five states have partial bans.

However, the study authors noted that more than 1,320 translational therapy practitioners are currently operating in the U.S., with 46% holding active professional licenses and 54% operating within religious institutions. Many people ostensibly prohibit the operation of states that practices.

The average age of study participants who had first exposure to conversion therapy was less than 13 years old, with most experiences ending around the age of 16 – young people were particularly vulnerable.

Physical manifestations of psychological stress

The study provides insights on how psychological stress translates into physical health problems. Participants exposed to translational therapy showed higher levels of systemic inflammation, a key factor in the development of cardiovascular disease.

The study shows that stress from conversion therapy may trigger a biological response, which increases blood pressure and increases inflammation, are the main factors that contribute to the risk of heart disease. This is consistent with the minority stress theory, which shows that chronic stress experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals can lead to health differences due to stigma and discrimination.

More than half (54.2%) of those who reported experiencing conversion therapy said the work came from parents, while 37.5% reported themselves seeking it, which could be due to internal stigma or external stress.

Impact on health care and policy

The results show that healthcare providers should pay attention to the history of translational therapy when assessing cardiovascular risk in LGBTQ+ patients. For policy makers, the study provides additional evidence to support the need for a comprehensive ban on translational therapy practices.

“Recognizing the cardiovascular health consequences of Sogice helps address SGM health disparities and emphasizes the importance of an equal-rights care approach that prioritizes SGM individual well-being,” the researchers said.

This study contributes to growing evidence that healthcare approaches to confirm LGBTQ+ identity not only support mental health, but also prevent serious physical health consequences.

Given that cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, these findings highlight another reason why translational therapy practices should be eliminated and replaced with a certain healthcare approach.

While the study focuses on individuals assigned to males at birth, the researchers believe that future studies should examine these effects of various gender identities and examine whether psychological interventions may help reverse some of the negative physical health effects of people previously exposed to translational therapy.