Ways to Navigate Sexual Minority and Latter-Day Saint Identities: A Latent Profile Analysis
Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
The Counseling Psychologist
Volume
51
Issue
3
Publisher
Sage Publications, Inc.
Publication Date
12-24-2022
First Page
368
Last Page
394
Abstract
Using a sample of 815 sexual minorities (SMs) with current or historical engagement with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we examined (a) how many empirically distinct ways there are to navigate SM and religious identities and (b) whether these ways were related to health. A latent profile analysis, which grouped participants by religious/spiritual (i.e., religious commitment, service attendance, Christian orthodoxy) and SM identity (i.e., outness, identity centrality, sexuality support) variables, yielded a three-group solution: engaged Latter-day Saint (LDS) individuals, moderately engaged LDS individuals, and lapsed LDS individuals. Participants in these three classes did not significantly differ in SM variables or in physical health, mental health, or life satisfaction. Engaged LDS participants reported less substance use and more meaning in life than lapsed LDS participants, likely due to their religious engagement.
Recommended Citation
Lefevor, G. T., Meter, D. J., & Skidmore, S. J. (2023). Ways to Navigate Sexual Minority and Latter-day Saint Identities: A Latent Profile Analysis. The Counseling Psychologist, 51(3), 368-394. https://doi.org/10.1177/00110000221148219