Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Religions
Author ORCID Identifier
Sydney A. Sorrell https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0662-7026
Tyler Lefevor https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4510-7306
Samuel Skidmore https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8428-2273
Volume
14
Issue
3
Publisher
MDPI AG
Publication Date
3-6-2023
First Page
1
Last Page
23
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Abstract
Strong and supportive relationships with parents are key to promoting the mental health of LGBTQ+ teens. Overwhelmingly, studies have focused on ways to improve parental acceptance, largely neglecting understanding the parent–teen dyad as a unit and ignoring teens’ contributions to their relationships with their parents. To address this gap, we conducted 19 separate interviews with LGBTQ+ teens and their Latter-day Saint (LDS) parents (38 total interviews) to explore the ways that teens contributed to the development of positive relationships. Additionally, we explored teen-related factors that presented challenges to the parent–teen relationship. Thematic analyses suggested that LGBTQ+ teens engaged in several behaviors that benefitted their relationships with their LDS parents, including having authentic and meaningful conversations, fostering family connections, engaging in casual communication, being open about LGBTQ+ identity, and giving parents time and grace. Participants reported several common teen-related factors that presented challenges to the relationship, including communication and connection difficulties, challenges related to general development, and parents and teens avoiding LGBTQ+ and religious topics. Results suggest that while several of these factors may be relevant for parent–teen relationships more broadly, many were specific to LGBTQ+ teens with active, LDS parents. These findings highlight the ways that LGBTQ+ teens manage to foster positive relationships with their parents despite potential conflict between their LGBTQ+ identities and their parents’ religious beliefs.
Recommended Citation
Sorrell, Sydney A., Emalee J. Willis, Jane H. Bell, G. Tyler Lefevor, and Samuel J. Skidmore. 2023. “I’ll Give Them All the Time They Need”: How LGBTQ+ Teens Build Positive Relationships with Their Active, Latter-Day Saint Parents. Religions 14:348. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14030348
