Variation in Conversion Therapy Exposure Across European Countries: A Cross-National Analysis and its Mental Health Implications

Authors: Adrianas Persijanovas, Ariana El Houti, Elsa Tykkyläinen, Filippa Hofmann and Kees Jeeninga

Abstract:

This article provides one of the first cross-national analyses of exposure to conversion therapy practices (CTP) across Europe, examining their prevalence, typology, and mental health consequences for LGBTQ+ individuals. Drawing on Minority Stress Theory and analysing a unique dataset from the 2023 EU LGBTIQ Survey (N = 100,577), we demonstrate that nearly a third of LGBTQ+ respondents report exposure to CTP — ranging from verbal humiliation to physical and sexual violence — with substantial variation across countries and identity groups. Using multivariate regression models, we show that CTP significantly worsens depressive symptoms, particularly among transgender people. Our mediation analysis reveals that identity concealment plays a key role in this relationship, suggesting that CTP operates not only as an acute trauma but also as a long-term mechanism of shame, silencing, and internalised homophobia. The findings offer strong support for all three of our hypotheses and indicate that CTP should be understood as an institutionalised form of identity-based violence. We conclude that legal bans on CTP, while essential, must be paired with cultural transformation and trauma-informed mental health care to effectively safeguard LGBTQ+ wellbeing.

Persijanovas, El Houti, Tykkyläinen, Hofmann & Jeeninga_2026_Conversion Therapy Exposure A.

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