Religious/spiritual struggles and life satisfaction among sexual minorities.

Abstract

This cross-sectional study examines which aspects of sexual, gender, and religious/spiritual (R/S) identities predict R/S struggles and life satisfaction among sexual minority adults. A large, nonprobability sample (N = 644; Mage = 35.16, 84.0% American; 15.2% of the sample were also transgender/gender-nonconforming persons) completed measures asking about their sexual orientation identity and sociodemographics, current and childhood religiousness/spirituality, and current R/S struggles and life satisfaction. Participants reported typical levels of life satisfaction but disproportionately high rates of overall R/S struggles and most R/S-struggles subtypes, particularly interpersonal struggles. Sexual minorities who were raised Christian reported higher overall, interpersonal, and doubt-related R/S struggles during adulthood than those who were not raised Christian. Sexual minority adults who were currently Christian-affiliated (vs. not) reported higher levels of all R/S-struggle subtypes except interpersonal struggles. However, sexual minority adults evidenced no differences in life satisfaction based on whether they were raised Christian (vs. not) or had a current Christian affiliation (vs. not). R/S factors (especially a current Christian affiliation and childhood or current involvement in a R/S community participants perceived as less lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer+ [LGBQ+] affirming) predicted sexual minorities’ R/S struggles beyond the influence of demographics but did not predict additional variance in life satisfaction. Sexual-orientation identity factors (particularly higher levels of integration and outness) uniquely predicted lower R/S struggles and higher life satisfaction. Results highlight a need for research on how multilevel stigma intersects with sexual, gender, and R/S identity development. Interventions that target R/S struggles, identity integration, and identity-affirming R/S support are also needed.

Associations between religion and suicidality for LGBTQ individuals: A systematic review

“…Studies of LGBTQ well-being (not just suicidality) provide support for these authors’ conclusions. Those who are most able to integrate their religious and sexual/gender identities experience fewer negative outcomes (Lefevor et al, 2021; Paulez et al, 2023; Rosenkrantz et al, 2016). Such findings raise the question of how it is possible for LGBTQ individuals to find identity reconciliation between their sexual-gender identities and their religious identities.…”

“…There is little generalizable extant research exploring religious/sexual-gender identity conflict and LGBTQ suicidality. However, there are several studies that have explored the connection between identity centrality, conflict and integration, and other aspects of LGBTQ wellbeing (besides suicidality) (J. R. Anderson et al, 2023;Paulez et al, 2023;Rodriguez et al, 2019). Research along this line may hold the key to better understanding how and why religiosity is associated with risk for LGBTQ suicidality.…”