Religiously Motivated Rejection of Children
A common form of parental rejection is when parents reject their child because they believe that their child's sexual orientation, gender identity, or relationship choices conflict with their religious beliefs. This can have long-term effects on LGBT children, including increased risk for mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and suicidality. It also increases the likelihood of homelessness, unemployment, poverty, and substance abuse. One study found that LGBT youth who experienced rejection from their families were more likely to report engaging in risky behaviors, such as using drugs and alcohol, than those who did not experience rejection. Another study found that LGBT youth who reported experiencing high levels of family rejection had higher rates of HIV infection compared to those who reported lower levels of family rejection.
Social Support
Social support refers to the emotional, instrumental, and informational assistance that individuals receive from others in their social network. There are several types of social support that may be effective in mitigating the harmful effects of religiously motivated parental rejection. One type of social support is intergenerational mentoring, which involves pairing LGBT young people with older adults who provide guidance and role modeling. Intergenerational mentoring has been shown to improve the mental health outcomes of LGBT youth, as well as increase their academic achievement and employment opportunities. Another type of social support is peer support, which involves connecting LGBT youth with other LGBT youth who can provide support and validation. Peer support groups can help reduce feelings of isolation and increase resilience.
Therapeutic Support
Therapeutic support refers to the professional services provided by trained therapists or counselors. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common form of therapeutic support for LGBT youth who have experienced religiously motivated parental rejection. This type of therapy helps individuals identify negative thoughts and behaviors and replace them with more positive ones. Other forms of therapy include acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), which focuses on helping individuals accept themselves and their identity, and emotion-focused therapy, which helps individuals process and manage difficult emotions related to trauma and rejection. Trauma-informed care is also an important aspect of therapeutic support, as many LGBT youth who experience religiously motivated parental rejection may have experienced multiple instances of trauma throughout their lives.
What long-term effects do religiously motivated parental rejections have on LGBT children, and what forms of social and therapeutic support are most effective in mitigating harm?
Parental rejection due to their child's sexual orientation can lead to significant psychological distress and internalized homophobia for LGBT youth, which can have lasting impacts on their mental health and well-being (Boswell & Vilain, 2016).