The role of spirituality in sexual minority identity.

Abstract

Spirituality has been widely associated with positive well-being within the general population. Although there is limited research on the impact of spirituality on sexual minority individuals, some evidence suggests it is associated with positive psychological outcomes and contributes to the development of a positive lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) identity. The present study aimed to elucidate the relationship between spirituality, gender normative beliefs, and LGB identity development. It was hypothesized that spirituality would be negatively associated with both heteronormative beliefs and attitudes and negative sexual minority identity, and that heteronormativity would mediate the relationship between spirituality and negative identity. Contrary to expectations, spirituality predicted greater heteronormativity and greater negative identity. The association between spirituality and negative identity was fully mediated by heteronormativity. Limitations and implications are discussed.

Religiosity, spirituality, gender identity, and sexual orientation of sexual minorities.

“…The current study suggests that religiosity and spirituality may not be important areas for consideration in the development of self-esteem and life satisfaction but are critical to developing a positive LGB identity. Both religiosity and spirituality were related to more detrimental views of one’s LGB identity, which is consistent with previous research on religiosity (Severson et al, 2014) and contributes to the literature on spirituality, which has reported both healthy and unfavorable associations of spirituality on sexual minority well-being (Stern & Wright, 2018; Wright & Stern, 2016). Further, LGB negative identity was associated with decreased levels of both self-esteem and life satisfaction, a finding consistently reported in the psychological well-being literature (Cramer et al, 2017; Mohr & Kendra, 2011).…”

“…We recognize that these identities develop in a broader cultural and sociopolitical context (Warner, 2008) and, therefore, account for both sexual minority relationship status and level of education as one dimension of SES (McGarrity, 2014), particularly in investigations of self-esteem, life satisfaction, and LGB negative identity. Although studies have investigated the differential effects of religiosity and spirituality on sexual minority well-being (Stern & Wright, 2018; Wright & Stern, 2016), they have not applied the intersectionality framework or investigated life satisfaction. Life satisfaction is an essential variable for consideration as it refers to the cognitive–judgmental aspects of well-being, and it is a global assessment of a person’s quality of life according to their chosen standards (Diener, 2009; Diener, Emmons, Larsen, & Griffin, 1985).…”

“…Spirituality is positively related to increased levels of LGB identity affirmation, identity superiority, self-esteem, and well-being in LGB respondents (Harari, Glenwick, & Cecero, 2014; Stern & Wright, 2018). Conversely, research has also reported higher levels of spirituality predict stronger endorsement of heteronormativity and greater LGB negative identity (Wright & Stern, 2016). These differences may be associated with gender identity, as women have reported feeling spiritual peace and well-being at greater frequencies than men (PRC, 2014).…”

The process and outcome of spiritually integrated psychotherapies: A cross-cultural study in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

“…On the other hand, religion and spirituality may also contribute to individuals’ distress when a loss or traumatic event goes against or is inexplicable in the context of their religious beliefs (e.g., suicide, severe illness; Burke, 2014; Exline et al, 2011). In addition, when an individual’s identity is negatively judged or stigmatized by their religious organization (e.g., sexual orientation; Wright & Stern, 2016), their religion and spirituality can contribute to psychological distress and spiritual crisis (Stone, 2013).…”

Spiritual group training for adolescences: Investigating the effect of group training on spiritual well-being

“…There were some new upcoming findings about the impact of spirituality on human life and human developmental stages (Starnino, 2016;Striepe, Clarke, & O'Donoghue, 2014;Wright & Stern, 2016). The study of spirituality becomes more relevant to the religious studies (Barnett & Barnett, 2016;Sperry, 2016).…”