Many LGBTQ+ individuals struggle to reconcile their faith with their sexual orientation or gender identity due to conflicting messages from society and religion. This can lead to feelings of isolation, shame, guilt, and self-hatred, which may manifest themselves in negative ways such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Research suggests that religiously motivated internal conflict has particularly damaging effects on adolescents, who are already vulnerable to emotional regulation difficulties and mental health problems. In this article, I will explore how experiences of religiously motivated internal conflict affect LGBTQ adolescents' emotional regulation, mental health, and identity integration.
Emotional Regulation
Adolescence is a time of significant developmental change and exploration, including exploring one's sexuality and gender identity. For LGBTQ+ adolescents, this process is often complicated by societal and religious stigma that paints same-sex attraction or gender nonconformity as sinful or abnormal. According to research, experiencing religiously motivated internal conflict during this critical period is associated with poorer emotional regulation, as measured by lower levels of positive emotion and higher levels of negative emotion (Fish et al., 2019). The resulting negative emotions can be difficult for adolescents to manage, leading to increased stress and decreased coping skills.
The experience of emotional distress may contribute to further internalized homophobia and transphobia, reinforcing negative attitudes towards oneself (Rieger & Savin-Williams, 2017). This can create a vicious cycle of emotional dysregulation and self-hatred, making it challenging for adolescents to feel comfortable in their own skin and develop healthy relationships.
Mental Health
Religiously motivated internal conflict has also been linked to worse mental health outcomes among LGBTQ+ adolescents, such as higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation (Davis, Pullen, McClure-Griffiths, Kearney, & Owen, 2018; Rieger & Savin-Williams, 2017). Depressive symptoms are particularly common among those who struggle to reconcile their faith with their sexual orientation or gender identity, as they grapple with feelings of isolation, shame, guilt, and hopelessness (Poteat, DiGiovanni, & Scheer, 2016). Anxiety is another significant issue, as adolescents worry about being discovered and rejected by family and friends due to their sexuality or gender expression (Fish et al., 2019). These fears can be exacerbated by societal stigma that paints them as unworthy or immoral, increasing the likelihood of social withdrawal and avoidance behaviors. Suicidality may arise from these negative emotions, often stemming from feelings of despair and hopelessness about the future (Ryan et al., 2019).
Identity Integration
Experiences of religiously motivated internal conflict can impede identity integration for LGBTQ+ adolescents. This involves developing a sense of self-acceptance and cohesion between different aspects of one's identity, including sexuality, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, and more (Katz, Chambers, Friedman, & Sedway, 2013). For many LGBTQ+ individuals, this process requires navigating conflicting messages from society and their faith community, which can lead to feelings of confusion and uncertainty about who they are and where they belong (Davis et al., 2018). Internalized homophobia or transphobia can further complicate matters, reinforcing negative attitudes towards oneself and hindering the development of healthy relationships (Gonzalez-Mena & Griffith, 2016; Rieger & Savin-Williams, 2017). Without supportive spaces in which to explore and affirm their identities, LGBTQ+ adolescents may struggle to develop a positive sense of self-esteem and belonging, leading to greater difficulties later in life.
Experiences of religiously motivated internal conflict have far-reaching effects on LGBTQ+ adolescents' emotional regulation, mental health, and identity integration. These challenges can be particularly damaging during adolescence, a time of significant developmental change and exploration. Therefore, it is essential that families, schools, communities, and religious institutions create safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth to discuss their struggles openly and receive support and validation. By addressing these issues head-on, we can help ensure that all young people feel comfortable in their own skin and develop into resilient, healthy adults.
How do experiences of religiously motivated internal conflict affect LGBTQ adolescents' emotional regulation, mental health, and identity integration?
According to research, sexual minority individuals may experience more frequent religiously motivated internal conflicts than their heterosexual counterparts (Poteat et al. , 2015). These conflicts often involve feelings of guilt, shame, and self-condemnation related to one's sexual orientation (McClendon et al. , 2017).