The LGBTQ Mormon Crisis: Responding to the Empirical Research on Suicide

Barker, Michelle; Parkinson, Daniel; Knoll, Benjamin R.

doi:10.5406/dialjmormthou.49.2.0001

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Their deaths were linked by media outlets, at least in part, to the struggles associated with their sexual orientation and their religious upbringing (Jackson, 2016; University of Utah, 2018). These deaths and others inspired vigorous public debate about the degree to which active or nonactive/former LDS sexual minorities (SMs) may be at risk for suicide (see Barker et al, 2016). In general, SMs—individuals who experience some degree of same‐sex attraction, engage in consistent same‐sex behavior, or who adopt a lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer identity (Lefevor, Park et al, 2020)—think about and attempt suicide more frequently than their heterosexual counterparts (Hottes et al, 2016).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Suicidal ideation among active and nonactive/former Latter‐day Saint sexual minorities

Lefevor

McGraw

Skidmore

2021

Journal Community Psychology

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Sexual minorities (SMs) in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) experience a number of unique risks related to their religious/spiritual and SM experience that may increase their likelihood of experiencing suicidal ideation (SI) and ultimately dying by suicide. However, it is unclear which aspects of these experiences are responsible for elevated SI. It is further unclear whether religiousness/ spirituality and minority stress relate to SI similarly for active and nonactive/former LDS SMs. To address this gap, we examined data from 602 active and nonactive/former LDS SMs. Active and nonactive LDS SMs reported similar degrees of SI and minority stress but differing degrees of religiousness/spirituality with active LDS SMs reporting more religiousness/spirituality than nonactive/former LDS SMs. Several variables were associated with increased SI in both groups including positive religious coping, interpersonal religious struggles, internalized homonegativity, and concealment. Other variables were associated with decreased SI in both groups including resolving conflict between sexual and religious identities, family support, and friend support. Our results suggest that whether LDS SMs are active in their faith is an important factor to consider when understanding how religiousness/spirituality and minority stress relate to SI.

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

Suicidal ideation among active and nonactive/former Latter‐day Saint sexual minorities

Lefevor

McGraw

Skidmore

2021

Journal Community Psychology

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“…Media outlets linked some of these deaths to struggles these adolescents and young adults had reconciling their sexual identities with their religious beliefs and community (Jackson, 2016; Salinger, 2016; Shaw, 2016; University of Utah, 2018). These deaths (and others) have inspired vigorous public debate within Utah and LDS circles as to the degree LDS LGBTQ youth may be at risk for suicide (see Barker et al, 2016; Cranney, 2020).…”

Section: Latter-day Saint Lgbtq Youth and Stbsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Family, faith, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) among LGBTQ youth in Utah.

McGraw¹,

Docherty²,

Chinn³

et al. 2023

Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity

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Utah ranks fifth in the nation for suicide and has experienced a rapid increase in youth deaths by suicide over the last decade. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) youth in Utah may be at heightened risk, given the major presence and stances of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regarding LGBTQ identities and relationships. However, no research has yet examined the differences in or predictors of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs; i.e., suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts) among LGBTQ youth in Utah. Using a large representative sample of Utah middle and high schoolers (n = 73,982), we found that Latter-day Saint (LDS) and non-LDS LGBTQ groups reported greater levels of STBs than heterosexual/cisgender youth, with non-LDS LGBTQ youth reporting the highest levels of STBs, followed by LDS LGBTQ youth. Path-analyses demonstrated that LGBTQ participants' reports of higher family conflict and lower parental closeness were tied to higher depression, self-harm, and substance misuse, and these three factors were, in turn, associated with higher levels of STBs for LGBTQ youth in Utah. This path model did not differ significantly due to LDS versus non-LDS religious affiliation. Findings suggest that LGBTQ youth in Utah would be well served if clinicians and advocacy groups pay attention to the ways that religious affiliation and family dynamics might indirectly lead to STBs among adolescents. Public Significance StatementThis study found that both Latter-day Saint and non-Latter-day Saint LGBTQ youth are at higher risk for experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors than their heterosexual or cisgender peers. Additionally, for LGBTQ youth, higher levels of family conflict and lower levels of parental closeness were related to more depression, substance misuse, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts. These findings demonstrate the potential familial and religious risks that LGBTQ youth may experience in Utah.

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“…Some scholars have suggested that specific LDS beliefs are implicated in the deaths by suicide of LDS SM (Barker et al, 2016), while others have called into question the lack of cross-sectional and longitudinal evidence to support such claims (Cranney, 2020). In light of these controversies, researchers have begun examining these processes cross-sectionally among current and former LDS SM samples.…”

Section: How Lds Beliefs Fit Within a Minority Stress Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Conversely, although not yet tested among LDS SM samples, one could imagine that if a participant could counteract the nonaffirming beliefs with affirming ones (e.g., God loves me or God made me as a same-sex attracted person), then they might experience less internalized stigma, religious/spiritual struggles, and subsequent depression and risk for suicide. Some scholars have suggested that specific LDS beliefs are implicated in the deaths by suicide of LDS SM (Barker et al, 2016), while others have called into question the lack of crosssectional and longitudinal evidence to support such claims (Cranney, 2020). In light of these controversies, researchers have begun examining these processes cross-sectionally among current and former LDS SM samples.…”

Section: How Lds Beliefs Fit Within Amentioning

confidence: 99%

Affirming and nonaffirming religious beliefs predicting depression and suicide risk among Latter-Day Saint sexual minorities.

McGraw¹,

Skidmore²,

Lefevor³

et al. 2023

Journal of Counseling Psychology

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Sexual minorities (SMs) who are current/former members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDSs) report high levels of depression and risk for suicide. Recent research has suggested that specific LDS religious beliefs may be related to these negative mental health outcomes. Using two independent online samples of current/former LDS SMs (Sample 1 = 403; Sample 2 = 545), we tested associations of affirming/nonaffirming LDS beliefs with depression and suicide risk cross-sectionally (Sample 1), and then longitudinally (Sample 2) tested if religious/spiritual struggles and internalized stigma mediated these relationships. Cross-sectionally, nonaffirming LDS beliefs were associated with higher depression, but effects disappeared when religious/spiritual struggles and internalized stigma were entered in the model. Affirming LDS beliefs were unrelated to depression and suicide risk. Longitudinally, after including earlier levels of internalized stigma, religious/spiritual struggles, depression, and suicide risk as controls, nonaffirming beliefs indirectly predicted more depression 2 months later (Time 3) through internalized stigma at 1 month (Time 2). These results suggest LDS beliefs may play an important role in the development and experience of depression for LDS sexual minorities.

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The LGBTQ Mormon Crisis: Responding to the Empirical Research on Suicide

Cited by 5 publications

References 7 publications

Suicidal ideation among active and nonactive/former Latter‐day Saint sexual minorities

Suicidal ideation among active and nonactive/former Latter‐day Saint sexual minorities

Family, faith, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) among LGBTQ youth in Utah.

Affirming and nonaffirming religious beliefs predicting depression and suicide risk among Latter-Day Saint sexual minorities.

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