Religion and Health Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youths: An Empirical Investigation and Theoretical Explanation.

Abstract

In the United States, Gallup polls consistently find that approximately 96% of the population believe in God, 90% say religion is "very important or fairly important" in their lives, 75% pray regularly, approximately 40% attend religious worship weekly, and 60% attend monthly (Gallup, 1995(Gallup, , 1996. Religion is often viewed as a source for coping with life's existential questions such as "What is the meaning of life?" "How do I deal with death, suffering, and injustice?" and "What do I do about my failings and shortcomings?" (Batson, Schoenrade, & Ventis, 1993;Baumeister, 1991; This work was supported by center Grant P50-MH43520 from the National Institute of Mental Health. Margaret Rosario, principal investigator, HIV Risk and Coming Out Among Gay and Lesbian Adolescents; Anke A. Ehrhardt, principal investigator, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies. We extend our appreciation to Brenda Cole, Tracey Revenson, and Eric Schrimshaw for their comments on an earlier version of this chapter.

Sexual Minority Young Adult Religiosity, Sexual Orientation Conflict, Self-Esteem and Depressive Symptoms

“…While sexual minorities are more likely to disidentify with religion than female heterosexuals, research suggests an equal rate of disidentification for male heterosexuals and male and female sexual minorities (Rostosky et al, 2008;Sherkat, 2002). Within sexual minority samples, males are often more active religiously than females, a sharp contrast from research findings with predominantly heterosexual samples (Rosario, Yali, Hunter, & Gwadz, 2006;Sherkat, 2002). Due to the conflictual nature of the religious context and the rate of religious identification, the same "protective benefit" that emerges in primarily heterosexual samples cannot be generalized automatically to the sexual minority population.…”

“…Also, one study found behavioral religiosity served as a protective benefit for males but not females. In this same study, religion served as a risk factor for female experiences of gay-related stress (Rosario et al, 2006). Affective and cognitive measures of religiosity have been less prevalent in the literature but have linked religious conflict to internalized homophobia and religious coping with decreased depressive symptomatology.…”

“…However, nearly one-third of study participants who reported religious and sexual identity conflict and continued to identify with religion did not encounter poorer mental health outcomes. Rosario et al (2006) considered the relationship between self-rated religious commitment and substance use, suicidal ideation, psychological distress, self-esteem, and risky sexual behaviors in a sample of 164 self-identified lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents (14-21 years, mean 18.3 years). They found that increased religious commitment was associated with less alcohol use, less binge drinking or marijuana use, and lower number of sexual experiences for male sexual minority individuals but not female individuals.…”

Is Religiosity a Protective Factor Against Substance Use in Young Adulthood? Only If You’re Straight!

“…To date, we were able to locate only one empirical study of religiosity and substance use in a young adult sexual minority sample [31]. The majority of a sample of 164 self-identified GLB urban youth (with a mean age of 18 years) reported that they had been raised within a Catholic or Protestant religious tradition.…”

The Interplay of Sexual and Religious Identity Development in LGBTQ Adolescents and Young Adults: A Qualitative Inquiry

“…Nearly 81% of Americans have reported a religious affiliation (Statistical Abstract of the United States, 2007); 60% of youth and 90% of adults have said religion is an important facet in their lives (Rosario, Yali, Hunter, & Gwadz, 2006). Within this context, life values are prescribed; cultural traditions are created; and community is formed and strengthened.…”