The Role of Religion and Stress in Sexual Identity and Mental Health Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth

Abstract

This study investigated religious stress, gay-related stress, sexual identity, and mental health outcomes in lesbian, gay and bisexual adolescents and emerging adults. The model examined negative LGB identity as a mediator of the relationships between a) religious stress and mental health, and b) gay-related stress and mental health. The data indicated that negative LGB identity fully accounted for both relationships. Findings suggest that a negative sense of sexual identity for LGB youth helps explain the links between religious and gay-related stressors and mental health. As LGB youth may have limited control over these stressors, the importance of helping LGB youth maintain a positive LGB identity, despite homonegative messages from others, is discussed.

Religiosity as a protective factor for hazardous drinking and drug use among sexual minority and heterosexual women: Findings from the National Alcohol Survey

“…In contrast to research based on general population samples, recent studies suggest that religion may not be protective against alcohol-related problems or psychological distress among sexual minorities (Anderton et al, 2011; Barnes and Meyer, 2012; Eliason et al, 2011; Page et al, 2013; Rostosky et al, 2007, 2010). Higher levels of religiosity and religious affiliation with religions that promote rejecting messages appear to be associated with increased internalized homophobia (Barnes and Meyer, 2012; Page et al, 2013; Ream and Savin-Williams, 2005).…”

“…Higher levels of religiosity and religious affiliation with religions that promote rejecting messages appear to be associated with increased internalized homophobia (Barnes and Meyer, 2012; Page et al, 2013; Ream and Savin-Williams, 2005). Furthermore, religious climate at a community level may also impact risk and resilience among sexual minorities; specifically living in communities where the composition of religious adherents is supportive of homosexuality appears to be protective against alcohol abuse symptoms and other health risks among sexual minority youth (Hatzenbuehler et al, 2012) Consequently, religiosity may function as both a source of risk and a source of resilience among sexual minorities (Dahl and Galliher, 2010; Gattis et al, 2014; Page et al, 2013; Ream and Savin-Williams, 2005). …”

“…Religious institutions are frequently a social context in which sexual minorities are marginalized (Wald and Calhoun-Brown, 2011) and many denominations and groups in the United States are non-affirming or intolerant of sexual minorities. This may generate conflicts between individuals' sexual and religious identities, or cause sexual minorities to disengage from religious contexts (Anderton et al, 2011; Barnes and Meyer, 2012; Page et al, 2013; Rostosky et al, 2007, 2010). …”

Intimidation homophobe, stratégies d’adaptation et intégration de l’orientation sexuelle

“…Enfin, les filles et les personnes transidentifiées ont rapporté plus de dissimulation et de confusion à l'égard de leur orientation sexuelle que les garçons. Les résultats concernant les personnes transidentifiées rappellent l'expérience unique de cette population, mais les résultats concernant les femmes sont en contradiction avec les études de Balsam et Mohr (2007) et de Page, Lindahl et Malik (2013) qui montrent que les filles présenteraient une meilleure intégration de leur orientation sexuelle. Cette distinction pourrait s'expliquer par les proportions plus importantes de filles attirées par les deux sexes que d'hommes dans l'échantillon, laquelle est associée à une intégration plus difficile de l'orientation sexuelle.…”

“…Les personnes bisexuelles manifesteraient plus d'attitudes négatives envers elles-mêmes que les gais et lesbiennes (HEREK; GILLIS; COGAN, 2009) et elles rapporteraient une plus grande confusion à l'égard de leur orientation sexuelle (BALSAM;MOHR, 2007;BREG-MAN et al, 2013) ainsi qu'une plus faible probabilité de dévoilement de leur orientation sexuelle (BALSAM;MOHR, 2007). Les travaux menés à ce jour sur les différences garçons-filles dans les niveaux d'homophobie intériorisée et de difficultés d'acceptation de l'orientation sexuelle minoritaire ne sont pas concluants (BALSAM;MOHR, 2007;MORRISON, 2011;PAGE, LINDAHL;MALIK, 2013). L'analyse des écrits disponibles indique en outre que peu d'études portant sur l'intégration de l'orientation sexuelle ont intégré le milieu de résidence dans leurs analyses.…”