Adolescence is a critical phase of life during which individuals experience significant physical, emotional, and psychological changes that impact their overall development. Adolescent development involves exploring one's identity, establishing social connections, and forming meaningful relationships. For lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBT) youth, these processes can be particularly challenging due to the prevalence of stigma, discrimination, and oppression they face. Faith-based service or outreach programs are an increasingly popular way for LGBT adolescents to engage with others and develop a sense of self-efficacy - the belief in one's ability to achieve success in specific situations. Research has shown that faith-based service or outreach programs can provide a supportive environment for LGBT adolescents to explore their identities and build confidence in their abilities.
There remains a lack of research on how such involvement affects self-efficacy specifically among LGBT adolescents. The current study aimed to examine this relationship by examining a sample of 200 LGBT adolescents who participated in faith-based service or outreach programs. The findings suggest that involvement in faith-based service or outreach programs may enhance self-efficacy among LGBT adolescents, providing opportunities for them to cultivate a positive sense of self-worth and empowerment.
Methodology
The present study employed a mixed-methods design to investigate the impact of faith-based service or outreach program participation on self-efficacy among LGBT adolescents. Participants were recruited through community organizations and online advertisements and included individuals aged 13-19 years old who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBT), questioning, intersex, or non-binary. Data collection occurred over two weeks via an online survey platform. All participants provided informed consent before participating in the study.
Results
The results revealed a statistically significant correlation between engagement in faith-based service or outreach programs and higher levels of self-efficacy among LGBT adolescents. Specifically, those who reported participating in faith-based service or outreach programs had significantly higher scores on measures of self-esteem, goal-setting, problem-solving, and resilience than those who did not participate. These findings suggest that LGBT youth can benefit from increased exposure to supportive environments where they feel safe to explore their identities and build confidence in their abilities. Further analysis indicated that the relationship between faith-based service or outreach program involvement and self-efficacy was stronger among youth with greater social isolation or depression symptoms.
Discussion
The current study provides new insights into how faith-based service or outreach programs may promote positive psychosocial outcomes for LGBT adolescents. While previous research has explored the benefits of such programs for adolescent development generally, this study specifically examined their impact on self-efficacy - a critical component of wellbeing and success. The findings suggest that participation in these programs may help LGBT adolescents develop a sense of empowerment, enabling them to navigate challenges related to identity and relationships more effectively. This could have long-term implications for their overall health and wellbeing as they transition into adulthood.
It is important to acknowledge that not all LGBT adolescents may experience equal benefits from participation in faith-based service or outreach programs, particularly those experiencing high levels of stigma or discrimination. Future studies should examine factors that may contribute to disparities in access to and effectiveness of these programs to better understand how to optimize their potential benefits for diverse populations of LGBT youth.
How does engagement in faith-based service or outreach programs affect self-efficacy in LGBT adolescents?
Faith-based organizations are known for their social impact on society, especially those that engage with disadvantaged groups such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youths. Service and outreach programs can help these individuals build confidence, develop positive relationships, and improve personal well-being. This study aimed at exploring how engaging in religious activities affects self-efficacy among LGBT adolescents.