“We’re pleased that the American Journal of Psychiatry has issued a rare public correction of serious errors in a study promoting so-called gender-reassignment surgery it published last October,” said Rev. Paul Sullins, Ph.D., Ruth Institute Senior Research Associate.

“The Journal now acknowledges that, contrary to what was reported earlier, the study does not show that those undergoing such surgery had improved mental health. Specifically, it does not show that these patients were less likely to suffer from mood-anxiety disorders, based on reports of fewer hospitalizations or less use of prescription drugs,” Dr. Sullins explained.

“The authors of the study sought to generate (in their words) support for policies that ensure coverage of gender-affirming treatments,” ignoring many elements of the data that invalidated this conclusion. In fact, an earlier, more rigorous, study of the same data had shown that the risk of suicide following sex reassignment surgery was over 10 times that of the general population. Seven groups of scholars noticed the discrepancy and wrote critical letters to the journal pointing out the bias and weaknesses of the newer study. The corrected conclusion of the study was the opposite of what was initially reported.”

For what’s called the Transgender movement, science is frequently distorted in the service of ideology. The results can be catastrophic for individuals and their families.

Pre-teen patients are often subjected to treatment to get them to assume the physical characteristics of the opposite sex. Dr. Sullins charged: “Instead of helping them to feel comfortable with the bodies they have, those suffering from gender dystopia are treated with hormones and surgery to get them to resemble the bodies they do not have.”

“Based on multiple scholarly complaints, the Journal had the integrity to reexamine the study and issue a correction,” Sullins remarked. “We wish everyone dealing with these studies showed the same willingness to view the matter objectively and admit mistakes.”

Fr. Paul Sullins, Ph.D., retired Professor of Sociology at Catholic University of America, is Senior Research Associate of the Ruth Institute and the author of two Ruth Institute reports on the relationship of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church and homosexual priests. Find the first report here and the second one here.

Sullins spoke at the Institute’s 2020 Summit for Survivors of the Sexual Revolution (July 17-18) on “Social Science Evidence About the Sexual Revolution.”