A systematic review of qualitative studies capturing the subjective experiences of Gay and Lesbian individuals’ of faith or religious affiliation

Wilkinson, Dean; Johnson, Amy

doi:10.1080/13674676.2020.1724919

Cited by 17 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…Coinciding with our findings, SMPs in nonaffirming religions benefit from religion through their increased sense of purpose and meaning, as well as their deeper connection to God (Bockrath et al, 2021). These reported benefits may ultimately promote health, which matches the findings of a recent meta-analysis that suggests religion can be a net positive experience for SMPs broadly (Lefevor, Davis, et al, 2021), with additional benefits including increased sense of belongingness (Skidmore et al, in press), stronger coping strategies (Dahl & Galliher, 2012), and developing a sense of positive identity (Wilkinson & Johnson, 2020). Interestingly, at least some SMPs who leave their religion may benefit from finding a new religion that is more affirming.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

“We are scared of being kicked out of our religion!”: Common challenges and benefits for sexual minority latter-day saints.

Skidmore¹,

Lefevor²,

Larsen³

et al. 2023

Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity

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This study explored common challenges and benefits reported by sexual minority people (SMP) in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (CJCLDS). A sample of 438 SMP members of the CJCLDS responded to a qualitative survey that asked participants to identify the challenges and benefits of identifying as SMPs in their faith. Participants reported several common challenges to identifying as an SMP in the CJCLDS, including lack of belongingness, identity conflict/confusion, distal stressors, proximal stressors, religious/spiritual struggles, mental health problems, and sexuality struggles. Participants reported several common benefits including increased empathy or compassion, a sense of belonging and happiness, religious/spiritual improvements, and perspective/personal growth. The results suggest that some SMP members of the CJCLDS experience more religious and sexuality struggles as well as a lack of belongingness due to their intersecting identities, whereas others seem to benefit from their religious involvement and find a sense of belongingness. Therapists who work with SMPs in the CJCLDS, and potentially other SMPs in nonaffirming religions, should be aware of both the challenges and benefits reported by SMPs to help clients most effectively navigate difficulties arising from their intersecting identities. Public Significance StatementThis study suggests that Latter-day Saints (LDS) sexual minority people (SMPs) commonly experience both challenges and benefits as a result of their identities, although challenges are more common. Understanding the specific challenges and benefits most commonly reported by this population can contribute to understanding such individuals and assisting mental health professionals working with LDS SMPs and SMPs in nonaffirming religions more broadly.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

“We are scared of being kicked out of our religion!”: Common challenges and benefits for sexual minority latter-day saints.

Skidmore¹,

Lefevor²,

Larsen³

et al. 2023

Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The purpose of the present meta-analysis is to examine this complex relationship empirically by (a) seeing what relationship (if any) exists between religion/spirituality (R/S) and health among sexual minorities—particularly given the positive relationship observed within the general population (Koenig et al, 2012; Oman & Syme, 2018) and (b) identifying possible moderators of the relationship between R/S and health among sexual minorities. To date, there have been a few systematic reviews of this relationship (e.g., Rodriguez, 2010; Wilkinson & Johnson, 2020), but no meta-analytic review has been conducted.…”

Section: Religion/spirituality and Health In The General Populationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The relationship between religiousness and health among sexual minorities: A meta-analysis.

Lefevor¹,

Davis²,

Paiz³

et al. 2021

Psychological Bulletin

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“…How might r/s beliefs and the actions of religious communities shape the experiences of people in the Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer (LGBTQ) community, including TGNC individuals? Although our main interest here was in gender minority identity, the larger literature on the interface between r/s and sexual orientation is relevant (for reviews, see Fontenot, 2013; Hamblin & Gross, 2014; Rodriguez, 2009; Wilkinson & Johnson, 2020). Some studies suggest positive associations between spirituality and indicators of good adjustment for people identifying as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB; Lassiter et al, 2019; Means, 2017; Murr, 2013; Wilkinson & Johnson, 2020).…”

Section: Conceptual Background: Religion Spirituality and The Lgbtq C...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although our main interest here was in gender minority identity, the larger literature on the interface between r/s and sexual orientation is relevant (for reviews, see Fontenot, 2013; Hamblin & Gross, 2014; Rodriguez, 2009; Wilkinson & Johnson, 2020). Some studies suggest positive associations between spirituality and indicators of good adjustment for people identifying as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB; Lassiter et al, 2019; Means, 2017; Murr, 2013; Wilkinson & Johnson, 2020). Other studies also suggest that some individuals find it possible to integrate LGB sexual orientations with religious faith, especially if they are able to find a sense of support from a LGB-affirming religious community (Foster et al, 2015; Lease et al, 2005; Rodriguez & Ouellette, 2000).…”

Section: Conceptual Background: Religion Spirituality and The Lgbtq C...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Religious and spiritual struggles among transgender and gender-nonconforming adults.

Exline¹,

Przeworski²,

Peterson³

et al. 2021

Psychology of Religion and Spirituality

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What struggles do transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) individuals report around religion and spirituality (r/s), and what types of r/s beliefs, experiences with religion, and gender-identity-related factors make such struggles more likely? Our sample (N = 315) came from a larger online study in which we contacted over 700 sources (websites, email lists, and social media) to recruit TGNC adults, mostly from North America and Western Europe. Participants (most identifying as Caucasian) endorsed a diverse range of gender identities (e.g., transgender, nonbinary, genderqueer, gender fluid, agender, and gender nonconforming). About half reported some past rejection by religious communities. The majority (58%) had exited traditional monotheistic religions (especially Christianity) or were never religious (24.6%), with many now identifying as atheist, agnostic, or nonreligious and others choosing personal spiritual paths or Earth-spirited faiths (Wicca or paganism). Participants generally reported modest levels of r/s struggle. Interpersonal struggles were most prominent, followed by ultimate meaning, doubt, moral, divine, and demonic, respectively. In a regression analysis, rejection by religious communities, God's perceived disapproval of one's gender identity, seeing God as causing one's gender identity, and internalized transphobia all uniquely predicted more r/s struggle, even when controlling religiousness, gender minority stress (distal and proximal), self-esteem, and trait resilience. In other regressions, r/s struggle (especially ultimate meaning) predicted more proximal gender minority stress (transphobia, nondisclosure, and negative expectations), even when controlling distal gender minority stress (nonaffirmation and history of discrimination/rejection/victimization), religiousness, self-esteem, and trait resilience. We suggest that r/s struggles warrant closer examination in research and clinical work with TGNC individuals.

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A systematic review of qualitative studies capturing the subjective experiences of Gay and Lesbian individuals’ of faith or religious affiliation

Cited by 17 publications

References 47 publications

“We are scared of being kicked out of our religion!”: Common challenges and benefits for sexual minority latter-day saints.

“We are scared of being kicked out of our religion!”: Common challenges and benefits for sexual minority latter-day saints.

The relationship between religiousness and health among sexual minorities: A meta-analysis.

Religious and spiritual struggles among transgender and gender-nonconforming adults.

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