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Description

Relative to heterosexual and cisgender individuals, sexual and gender minorities (SGM) have elevated rates of minority stress and heightened chances of health problems, including mental health disorders and suicidal ideation. This process can be exacerbated in a conservative Christian religious setting, such as in the context of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (CJCLDS). Although CJCLDS doctrine embraces love for all, LGBTQ+ individuals experience discrimination, sometimes through subtle verbal/nonverbal barbs called microaggressions. There is limited research on this intersection of experience, which makes it difficult to understand how to help the individuals being adversely affected. This study seeks to fill that gap with qualitative interviews with 19 parent/child pairs, where the parent is an active member of CJCLDS and the child is an SGM individual. The surveys consisted of questions about specific microaggressions experienced in CJCLDS settings and their effects. The answers from the open-ended survey questions were analyzed by a coding team using thematic analysis. Codes were organized in three broad categories: 1) microaggressions, 2) impacts of microaggressions, and 3) coping mechanisms used to deal with the microaggressions/impacts. Microaggressions were found both that are common to other settings such as “being a SGM is a choice”, as well as CJCLDS doctrinally specific ones: “you won’t be able to be in the celestial kingdom”. Impacts ranged from emotional responses such as feeling hurt, sad and angry, to verbal or action-based responses like leaving the situation. Coping mechanisms included positive affirmation or distraction and relying on support systems.

Publication Date

12-9-2021

City

Logan, UT

Keywords

LGBTQ, microaggressions, minority stress, LDS

Disciplines

Psychiatry and Psychology | Psychology

Microaggressions Experienced by LGBTQ Individuals in CJCLDS Contexts

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