Specific Aspects of Minority Stress Associated With Depression Among LDS Affiliated Non-Heterosexual Adults

Abstract

A nation-wide sample of 634 previous or current members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), non-heterosexual adults (ages 18-33), were surveyed to examine how specific aspects of minority stress are individually and collectively associated with depression, and how such associations differ across sex, sexual orientation, and level of affiliation with the LDS church. When five stressors were examined simultaneously, need for others' acceptance (NA) was the strongest predictor of depression, followed by internalized homophobia (IH). All minority stress factors were found to be individually predictive of depression and did not differ across sex or sexual orientation subgroups. Differences were observed, however, when considering current LDS status, such that participants who were no longer affiliated with the LDS church reported stronger relationships between some minority stressors and depression. Implications of religious identity salience as a potential mediator of relationships between specific stressors and depression are discussed.

The role of religiousness and beliefs about sexuality in well-being among sexual minority mormons.

“…Further, remaining religiously engaged and adhering to church teachings that inculcate shame around sexuality may cause sexual minority Mormons to develop a stronger sense of internalized homonegativity than those who disengage or reject shame-based beliefs of sexuality. Indeed, sexual minority Mormons who remain active members of the LDS church evidence more internalized homonegativity (Dehlin et al, 2014) and psychological distress (Crowell et al, 2015).…”

“…Because of the LDS church's strong stance toward same-sex sexuality and the resistance of sexual orientation to change (Beckstead & Morrow, 2004), individuals may feel pressure to disavow either their sexual identity or religious identity to maintain a sense of cognitive consistency (Dehlin et al, 2015a;Jacobsen & Wright, 2014). It is likely that those who were "caught between" identities reported less well-being due to dissonance between their sexual and religious identities (Crowell, Galliher, Dehlin, & Bradshaw, 2015;Dahl & Galliher, 2012;Festinger, 1957;Hamblin & Gross, This document is copyrighted by the American Psychological Association or one of its allied publishers. This article is intended solely for the personal use of the individual user and is not to be disseminated broadly.…”

Intersectionality and Identity Configurations: A Qualitative Study Exploring Sexual Identity Development Among Emerging Adults Within the United States

“…Sexual minority emerging adults have communicated the costs and benefits of negotiating sexual and religious identity (Gold & Stewart, 2011). Some LGBTQ+ individuals report strong feelings of dissonance between their religious and sexual identities, which contributes to psychological distress (Crowell et al, 2015; Greene et al, 2017). However, sexual minority emerging adults have also reported maintaining a positive religious identity by reframing heterosexist and oppressive church teachings or values in order to allow both identities to thrive (Dahl & Galliher, 2012a; Kubicek et al, 2009).…”

Consensual Qualitative Research of LGB Persons’ Counseling Experiences Addressing Religious/Spiritual Foci

“…It is therefore not surprising that many LGBTQ individuals who identify as religious have reported an attempt to develop a spiritual identity that is ostensibly less conflictual with their LGBTQ identity (Anderton et al, 2011;Bowland, Foster, & Vosler, 2013;Bozard & Sanders, 2011;Dahl & Galliher, 2012;Pitt, 2009Pitt, , 2010. Nonetheless, overall LGB individuals report high levels of minority stress (Brewster, Moradi, DeBlaere, & Velez, 2013;Crowell, Galliher, Dehlin, & Bradshaw, 2014), which may contribute to their seeking counseling services at disproportionately higher rates than their heterosexual peers (Luke & Goodrich, 2015). There has been minimal previous research that has sought to understand the identity development process that may take place as part of the experiences of LGB persons who seek to integrate their religious/spiritual and affectional identities while in counseling.…”