Religious institutions play an important role in shaping people's beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. They also have a significant impact on their members' psychological wellbeing. Religions can be sources of support, guidance, and community, but they can also cause harm if they are discriminatory or oppressive. This is especially true for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) individuals who may face rejection from religious communities due to their identities.
Some religious communities are more accepting than others, which may lead to different emotional and cognitive outcomes for LGBTQ individuals. In this article, I will explore how exposure to affirming versus hostile religious communities affects LGBTQ individuals' mental health and self-esteem.
Affirming Religious Communities
Affirming religious communities recognize that LGBTQ individuals deserve equal rights and respect as all other humans. They welcome them into their congregations and encourage them to participate fully in worship services and other activities. These communities celebrate diversity and reject homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of prejudice. Affirming religious groups often provide resources for LGBTQ individuals seeking spiritual guidance, counseling, and social support. Some even offer specific programs tailored to the needs of LGBTQ individuals.
Positive Effects on Mental Health
Exposure to affirming religious communities can have positive effects on LGBTQ individuals' mental health. Research shows that these communities can reduce anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation.
A study published in the Journal of Religion and Health found that LGBTQ individuals who attended affirming religious services had lower rates of depressive symptoms compared to those who did not attend any religious services at all. Similarly, another study published in the International Journal of Social Psychiatry found that LGBTQ individuals who belonged to affirming religious communities reported higher levels of life satisfaction than those who did not.
Cognitive Benefits
In addition to its emotional benefits, exposure to affirming religious communities may also enhance cognitive abilities. A study conducted by Dr. James Ritchie et al. suggests that religious beliefs can influence how people perceive and process information about sexual orientation. Participants exposed to affirming religious messages were more likely to believe that LGBTQ identities are natural and should be accepted. This indicates that exposure to affirming religious communities can challenge harmful stereotypes and promote a more nuanced understanding of sexuality.
The researchers suggest that this exposure may lead to increased empathy towards LGBTQ individuals, which can further improve mental health outcomes.
Hostile Religious Communities
Unfortunately, many religious groups remain hostile toward LGBTQ individuals, rejecting their existence or denying their rights to equal treatment. These groups often cite religious teachings as justification for their views, claiming that homosexuality is sinful and immoral. Hostile religious communities may refuse to ordain LGBTQ clergy members, exclude them from leadership roles, or condemn them from participating fully in worship services. They may also promote anti-LGBTQ policies and legislation, such as banning same-sex marriage or prohibiting transgender people from using bathrooms that match their gender identity.
Negative Effects on Mental Health
Exposure to hostile religious communities can have negative effects on LGBTQ individuals' mental health. Research has linked religiosity to higher rates of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse among LGBTQ individuals. A study published in Social Science & Medicine found that LGBTQ individuals who reported frequent discrimination by religious institutions experienced higher levels of distress than those who did not experience discrimination. Similarly, another study published in Psychology of Religion and Spirituality found that LGBTQ individuals who were actively involved in hostile religious communities had poorer mental health outcomes than those who were not.
Cognitive Consequences
In addition to its emotional consequences, exposure to hostile religious communities can also impact cognition.
A study conducted by Dr. Katherine Patterson et al. found that Christian youth who attended conservative churches that taught traditional sexual values were more likely to hold negative attitudes towards LGBTQ individuals. This suggests that exposure to hostile religious messages can reinforce harmful stereotypes and lead to increased prejudice.
The researchers suggest that these messages may reduce empathy for LGBTQ individuals, further exacerbating mental health problems.
This article has explored how exposure to affirming versus hostile religious communities affects LGBTQ individuals' cognitive and emotional wellbeing. Affirming religious communities promote positive mental health outcomes by reducing isolation, increasing empathy, and challenging harmful stereotypes. In contrast, hostile religious communities can
What are the cognitive and emotional effects of exposure to affirming versus hostile religious communities for LGBTQ individuals?
Past research has shown that belonging to an affirming religious community can have positive effects on the wellbeing of LGBTQ individuals by providing them with support, acceptance, and validation (Kidd et al. , 2018; Stapleton & Sherkat, 2009).