Citation

Grigoriou JA. Psychol. Sex. Orientat. Gend. Divers. 2014; 1(4): 471-479.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/sgd0000078

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In recent years, the institutionalized discrimination of religious individuals with same-sex attraction has been at the forefront of much debate; especially within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS). Research has turned out myriad studies on the effects of conservative religious attitudes on same-sex attracted (SSA) individuals, linking negative societal responses to poorer mental health outcomes and suicide (North Star, n.d.). Under the framework of minority stress theory, the current study presents an empirically validated rationale outlining the impact that (a) SSA identity, (b) Mormon identity, (c) perceptions of stigmatization in the LDS society (i.e., stigma consciousness), and (d) difficulty in speaking with Mormon social supports about sexual orientation (i.e., social constraints) had on an adult sample of SSA Mormons (n = 142). This study contributes new information linking social constraints, Mormon identity, and SSA identity to symptoms of anxiety and depression.

RESULTS show that the social constraint variable was the best predictor for symptoms of anxiety and depression. SSA and Mormon identity were linked to fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression compared with those who could not choose which aspect of their identity was most salient. SSA identity was also moderately and positively associated with perceptions of stigmatization. Contrary to expectations, stigma consciousness was not found to be predictive of mental health outcomes for this sample of SSA Mormon adults. © 2014 American Psychological Association.

Language: en

Keywords

Same-sex attraction; Minority stress; Mormon identity; Social constraints; Stigma consciousness