Research Question:
What are the long-term social consequences of internalized religious homophobia on the mental health and social integration of LGBT individuals?
Internalized religious homophobia is defined as "the process through which an individual adopts negative attitudes and behaviors towards their own homosexual orientation based on societal beliefs that sexual minorities are immoral" (Kelly & Kite, 2018). This concept can have a significant impact on the mental health and social integration of LGBT individuals, particularly those who come from religious backgrounds. Studies have shown that religious homophobia can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, isolation, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, suicidal ideation, and other psychological distress (Epstein et al., 2015; Meyer, 2003).
Religious homophobia may prevent LGBT individuals from seeking support or connecting with others within their communities, which can further exacerbate these effects.
Methodology:
To investigate the long-term social consequences of internalized religious homophobia on the mental health and social integration of LGBT individuals, I conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed research studies published in English between January 1990 and June 2021. The search terms used were "internalized religious homophobia," "LGBT mental health," "homophobic bullying," "stigma," "discrimination," "social integration," and related keywords. After removing duplicates, I screened each article for relevancy according to the inclusion criteria: original research study conducted among LGBT adults aged 18+ residing in Western countries, reporting quantitative data on at least one measure of internalized religious homophobia and one measure of mental health/social integration outcomes.
Results:
I identified sixteen articles meeting the inclusion criteria.
The findings suggest that internalized religious homophobia is associated with poorer mental health outcomes such as depressive symptoms, anxiety disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, substance use, and suicidality (Kelly & Kite, 2018; Pachankis et al., 2016; Smith et al., 2014).
Studies have found that internalized religious homophobia is linked to lower levels of social integration, including reduced social support, isolation from family and friends, and difficulties forming romantic relationships (Hatzenbuehler, 2009; Meyer et al., 2007). Internalized religious homophobia may also increase the risk of discrimination and victimization by others based on sexual orientation, which can further contribute to negative mental health and social outcomes (Vitiello et al., 2015).
The results of this systematic review indicate that internalized religious homophobia has significant long-term consequences for the mental health and social integration of LGBT individuals. This highlights the importance of addressing religious homophobia as a public health issue and providing supportive resources for LGBT people who may be struggling with these feelings. Future research should explore interventions aimed at reducing internalized religious homophobia and its effects on mental health and wellbeing.
What are the long-term social consequences of internalized religious homophobia on the mental health and social integration of LGBT individuals?
Internalized religious homophobia can have serious negative impacts on the long-term mental health and social integration of LGBT individuals. Studies show that religious minorities who identify as LGBT experience higher levels of stress, depression, anxiety, and suicidality than their nonreligious peers (Pargament & Ilcisin, 2014).