The purpose of this research is to investigate whether LGBTQ-affirming pastoral care can lead to better identity outcomes than neutral or rejecting models. Pastoral care refers to counseling, support, guidance, and education provided by a religious figure to individuals and communities. It has been used for centuries in various religions such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, etc., but it is particularly popular in Christianity where pastors are clergy members who provide spiritual guidance. The identity outcomes refer to changes in one's self-perception, social interactions, emotional well-being, and sense of belonging resulting from sustained exposure to different types of pastoral care. Sustained exposure means that the individual receives regular and consistent help over an extended period. The study participants will be adults who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and/or intersex, living in the United States. They must have received pastoral care for at least six months within the last three years. There are several theories about what factors may influence the effectiveness of pastoral care, including acceptance, rejection, stigma, internalization, normalization, and assimilation.
The first theory is acceptance, which argues that when someone accepts their sexual orientation or gender identity, they experience greater levels of mental health and well-being.
There is evidence that people who seek pastoral care because of their sexuality may not feel accepted by the church or community, leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
A second theory is rejection, which suggests that when someone feels rejected by the church or society, they may experience negative consequences on their mental health and well-being. This could include increased anxiety, depression, and suicide attempts. A third theory is stigma, which refers to the societal beliefs and attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals. When someone is exposed to these beliefs, it can lead to internalized homophobia or transphobia, leading to a lower sense of self-worth and identity. Internalized homophobia is when an LGBTQ+ person believes that being gay is wrong and shameful, while transphobia occurs when someone holds prejudiced views against transgender people.
The fourth theory is normalization, which proposes that if someone feels accepted and valued by the church or society, they will be more likely to identify as LGBTQ+ without feeling ashamed or embarrassed. Normalization can happen through positive role models, supportive peers, and inclusive policies. Lastly, assimilation is the idea that LGBTQ+ people should conform to heteronormative standards to fit in with society. Assimilating can involve suppressing one's true self and desires to appear straight and cisgender. While this can bring temporary relief from discrimination, it can also cause emotional distress over time.
The study hopes to determine whether LGBTQ-affirming pastoral care leads to better identity outcomes than neutral or rejecting models. To do so, participants must complete surveys and interviews about their experiences and perceptions of the church and community. The results could inform how churches and communities approach pastoral care for LGBTQ+ people, leading to greater acceptance and well-being among those who identify as such.
What are the identity outcomes of sustained exposure to LGBTQ-affirming pastoral care compared to neutral or rejecting models?
Pastoral care is an important aspect of spiritual support for individuals who identify as LGBTQ. It involves providing guidance and direction in times of need, crisis, or confusion while promoting personal growth and development. Research has shown that pastoral care can have significant impact on one's self-concept, sense of belongingness, and wellbeing.