Religious families have long held conservative values about sexual orientation and gender identity. These attitudes can be passed down from generation to generation, shaping the ways in which young people think about their own sexuality and gender expression. This paper explores how these intergenerational attitudes impact LGBTQ youth identity formation and emotional well-being.
Theoretical Framework
The theory of social learning emphasizes that individuals learn through observation, imitation, and reinforcement. In this context, religious families may teach children negative attitudes toward LGBTQ identities, leading them to internalize these beliefs and feel shame or fear about their own sexuality or gender identity. Social cognitive theory posits that individuals construct meaning from their environment, so if a family is hostile towards LGBTQ individuals, it can negatively affect an individual's self-concept.
Attachment theory argues that secure attachments are essential for healthy development, and negative attitudes towards LGBTQ identities may create insecure attachments between parents and children.
Research Findings
Several studies have examined the relationship between intergenerational attitudes towards LGBTQ identities and youth outcomes.
One study found that youth whose parents had negative attitudes were more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation (Cohen et al., 2016). Another study found that positive parental attitudes predicted higher levels of self-esteem among LGBTQ youth (Fitzgibbons & Testa, 2013).
Research suggests that religious affiliation may predict lower rates of coming out (Green et al., 2019), which could indicate that religious families may be less supportive of LGBTQ identities.
Implications for Practice
These findings suggest that religious families may need to actively work to challenge negative attitudes towards LGBTQ identities and provide support for their LGBTQ loved ones. Clinicians working with this population may prioritize addressing homophobia and transphobia in therapy sessions. Mental health professionals should also consider the role of religious beliefs in shaping identity formation and emotional well-being.
Schools and communities must create safe spaces for LGBTQ youth by promoting inclusivity and acceptance.
How do intergenerational attitudes toward LGBTQ identities within religious families affect youth identity formation and emotional well-being?
Intergenerational attitudes towards LGBTQ identities have been shown to significantly impact youth identity formation and emotional well-being. According to research, individuals who grow up in families with negative views of queer identities may feel stigmatized or ashamed about their sexual orientation/gender identity, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.