“Find that Balance:” The Impact of Cultural Consonance and Dissonance on Mental Health among Utah and Mormon Women

Abstract

Cultural consonance and religious participation are both associated with salutogenic mental health outcomes. Yet studies of religious and other cultural models must take into account multiple and conflicting cultural norms. In this article, we explore the consequences of trying to adhere to the oppositional cultural models of religious (Latter‐day Saint or Mormon) and secular American gender roles as perceived by college‐aged women at a Utah university. Using cultural consensus and cultural consonance analysis, we demonstrate that while conforming with one model may provide social and mental health benefits, striving for consonance with both results in increased perceived stress levels for Latter‐day Saints and nonmembers alike. Such cultural dissonance may be a contributing factor to the current mental health crisis among Utah youth. This work expands the theory of cultural consonance by examining it in the context of two incongruent lifestyles.

Translating the theory of intersectionality into quantitative and mixed methods for empirical gender transformative research on health

“…Next, they surveyed the young women about their own personal beliefs in each of those models and conducted a regression analysis, which illustrated that those who adhered to both Mormon and American secular gender models tended to experience the greatest levels of stress because the expectations for each model were so divergent, creating conflict in their lives. This finding was then validated by qualitative interviews (Dengah et al 2019). These mixed methods helped elucidate why there are such high rates of mental illness among Utah youth, and suggested ways forward for gender transformative interventions (Dengah et al 2019).…”

“…This finding was then validated by qualitative interviews (Dengah et al 2019). These mixed methods helped elucidate why there are such high rates of mental illness among Utah youth, and suggested ways forward for gender transformative interventions (Dengah et al 2019).…”

“…In a study investigating the intersection of religious and gendered norms on stress among youth in Utah, researchers used CCM to analyse to what degree female students subscribed to Mormon and/or secular beliefs around gender roles and responsibilities (Dengah et al 2019). Using semi-structured interviews, they identified values that were central characteristics of Mormon gendered models and secular gendered models, then used cultural consensus to verify that there was sufficiently high agreement among the respondents to consider these cohesive cultural models (Dengah et al 2019).…”

“…In a study investigating the intersection of religious and gendered norms on stress among youth in Utah, researchers used CCM to analyse to what degree female students subscribed to Mormon and/or secular beliefs around gender roles and responsibilities (Dengah et al 2019). Using semi-structured interviews, they identified values that were central characteristics of Mormon gendered models and secular gendered models, then used cultural consensus to verify that there was sufficiently high agreement among the respondents to consider these cohesive cultural models (Dengah et al 2019). Next, they surveyed the young women about their own personal beliefs in each of those models and conducted a regression analysis, which illustrated that those who adhered to both Mormon and American secular gender models tended to experience the greatest levels of stress because the expectations for each model were so divergent, creating conflict in their lives.…”

Family and Family-Like Relations for Transnational Migrants: Ideals of Care Informed by Kin, Non-Family, and Religion

“…Attempts to over-concretize cultural patterns or "family"-based value systems (e.g., Lahaie et al, 2009) are neither productive nor healthy for migrants (Falicov, 2007;Smith-Morris et al, 2012). Instead, "finding balance" across these competing pressures and value systems will promote both social and mental health benefits (Dengah et al, 2019). Research that promotes therapeutic and theoretical clarity around these processes of value change will be increasingly important for family and mental health care in the diasporic world.…”