“We are scared of being kicked out of our religion!”: Common challenges and benefits for sexual minority latter-day saints.

Abstract

This study explored common challenges and benefits reported by sexual minority people (SMP) in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (CJCLDS). A sample of 438 SMP members of the CJCLDS responded to a qualitative survey that asked participants to identify the challenges and benefits of identifying as SMPs in their faith. Participants reported several common challenges to identifying as an SMP in the CJCLDS, including lack of belongingness, identity conflict/confusion, distal stressors, proximal stressors, religious/spiritual struggles, mental health problems, and sexuality struggles. Participants reported several common benefits including increased empathy or compassion, a sense of belonging and happiness, religious/spiritual improvements, and perspective/personal growth. The results suggest that some SMP members of the CJCLDS experience more religious and sexuality struggles as well as a lack of belongingness due to their intersecting identities, whereas others seem to benefit from their religious involvement and find a sense of belongingness. Therapists who work with SMPs in the CJCLDS, and potentially other SMPs in nonaffirming religions, should be aware of both the challenges and benefits reported by SMPs to help clients most effectively navigate difficulties arising from their intersecting identities. Public Significance StatementThis study suggests that Latter-day Saints (LDS) sexual minority people (SMPs) commonly experience both challenges and benefits as a result of their identities, although challenges are more common. Understanding the specific challenges and benefits most commonly reported by this population can contribute to understanding such individuals and assisting mental health professionals working with LDS SMPs and SMPs in nonaffirming religions more broadly.

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

“…Second, holding orthodox Christian beliefs (e.g., “Jesus Christ was the divine Son of God” and “Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, God provided a way for the forgiveness of people’s sins”) is related to less suicidal ideation (Lefevor, McGraw, & Skidmore, 2022). Third, internalized stigma and religious/spiritual struggles are related to more depression and/or suicide risk (Crowell et al, 2015; Lefevor, McGraw, & Skidmore, 2022; Lefevor, Skidmore, et al, 2022; Skidmore et al, 2022).…”

Exploring mental health and help-seeking attitudes among sexual minoritized adults in Utah.

“…The majority of those living in Utah (known colloquially as Utahns) are affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2021), a conservative Christian religion that is frequently considered one of the least affirming of sexual minoritized individuals in the US (Barringer, 2019). As such, sexual minoritized Utahns may face religiously based stigma both generally (Lefevor, Skidmore, et al, 2022; McGraw, Angoff, et al, 2021) as well as when thinking about seeking help from family, healthcare providers, or others (McGraw, Chinn, & Mahoney, 2021; Skidmore et al, 2022).…”

“…Because the majority of Utahns are affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, membership in the church may be particularly salient for both heterosexual and sexual minoritized individuals living in Utah. Heterosexual and sexual minority Latter-day Saint (LDS) Utahns may benefit from the health-promoting aspects of their faith (e.g., social support, health codes; Koenig, 2012) or as a function of membership in the socially dominant group in the state (e.g., feeling more confident that healthcare providers will share their views; Cranney, 2017; Lefevor, McGraw, & Skidmore, 2022; McGraw, Docherty, et al, 2021; Skidmore et al, 2022). However, LDS sexual minority Utahns may also experience identity conflict and internalized stigma that may create mental health challenges (Lefevor, Skidmore, et al, 2022; Skidmore et al, 2022) and feel less confident that they can rely on family, healthcare providers, or clergy for support (see McGraw, Chinn, & Mahoney, 2021).…”

“…Heterosexual and sexual minority Latter-day Saint (LDS) Utahns may benefit from the health-promoting aspects of their faith (e.g., social support, health codes; Koenig, 2012) or as a function of membership in the socially dominant group in the state (e.g., feeling more confident that healthcare providers will share their views; Cranney, 2017; Lefevor, McGraw, & Skidmore, 2022; McGraw, Docherty, et al, 2021; Skidmore et al, 2022). However, LDS sexual minority Utahns may also experience identity conflict and internalized stigma that may create mental health challenges (Lefevor, Skidmore, et al, 2022; Skidmore et al, 2022) and feel less confident that they can rely on family, healthcare providers, or clergy for support (see McGraw, Chinn, & Mahoney, 2021). Additionally, non-LDS sexual minoritized individuals may experience both the stigma of being sexual minoritized individuals and being outside the dominant religious group, which may have implications for their mental health and help-seeking attitudes (McGraw, Docherty, et al, 2021).…”

“…For instance, some studies found that current or former LDS sexual minoritized individuals may be stigmatized by LDS mental health professionals who are either dismissive of their sexual identity or who advocate for sexual orientation change efforts (Dahl & Galliher, 2012; Jacobsen & Wright, 2014), while others find LDS therapists were able to understand the tensions between their religion and sexual orientation better than non-LDS therapists (Jacobsen & Wright, 2014; Moran, 2007). Similarly, qualitative examinations of LDS sexual minoritized individuals’ experiences with clergy find that they are generally perceived as unprepared or dismissive of sexual minoritized individuals experiences and concerns (Beckstead & Morrow, 2004; McGraw, Chinn, & Mahoney, 2021; Skidmore et al, 2022). However, a number of LDS sexual minoritized individuals also report feeling supported by their LDS clergy, which suggests that some LDS sexual minoritized individuals may have additional avenues of support (Lefevor, Perez-Figueroa, et al, 2022; Moran, 2007).…”