The Role of Religion and Stress in Sexual Identity and Mental Health Among LGB Youth.
This study investigated religious stress, gay-related stress, sexual identity, and mental health outcomes in lesbian, gay and bisexual adolescents and emerging adults. The model examined negative LGB identity as a mediator of the relationships between a) religious stress and mental health, and b) gay-related stress and mental health. The data indicated that negative LGB identity fully accounted for both relationships. Findings suggest that a negative sense of sexual identity for LGB youth helps explain the links between religious and gay-related stressors and mental health. As LGB youth may have limited control over these stressors, the importance of helping LGB youth maintain a positive LGB identity, despite homonegative messages from others, is discussed.
University of Miami, Department of Psychology, P.O. Box 248185, Coral Gables, FL 33124-0751.
Matthew J L
MJ
Page
Kristin M
KM
Lindahl
Neena M
NM
Malik