Identity Affirmation and Mental Health Among Sexual Minorities: A Raised-Mormon Sample

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Journal of GLBT Family Studies

Volume

16

Issue

3

Publisher

Routledge

Publication Date

7-25-2019

First Page

293

Last Page

311

Abstract

How can someone successfully integrate a lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) identity and a Mormon identity? Using a sample of 530 LGB-identified individuals raised in the Later-Day Saints (LDS) church, this study asks how factors of empowerment are associated with sexual identity affirmation and mental health outcomes. We found that sexual identity support, connection needs support, LGBT community support, and educational attainment were significantly associated with more positive mental health outcomes. LGB women who were raised Mormon appear to fair worse than men, on average. We also found that those raised Mormon who had disaffiliated with the LDS church reported significantly lower levels of internalized homonegativity than those still affiliated. Clinicians working with LGB Mormons and post-Mormons should consider the effect that affirming sources of support may have on positive mental health outcomes.

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS