The topic of religious institutions has been surrounded by controversy and debate regarding its role in society, particularly concerning its impact on LGBT individuals. Studies have shown that many LGBT people experience various forms of exclusion or marginalization within religious communities due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. These experiences can significantly influence an individual's identity integration and psychological well-being in the long run. This article will explore how such experiences affect individuals and their subsequent coping mechanisms.
Experiences of exclusion or marginalization within religious institutions can cause significant harm to an individual's mental health, causing feelings of isolation, alienation, and low self-esteem. Research suggests that these experiences often lead to internalized homophobia, whereby LGBT individuals internalize negative societal attitudes towards themselves based on their sexuality. This can result in severe emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
LGBT individuals may feel disconnected from their spiritual beliefs and practices, leading to feelings of loss or grief. The effects of such exclusion can also extend beyond mental health issues, with some studies indicating a higher risk of physical illnesses among LGBT individuals who are excluded from their religious communities.
In response to these experiences, LGBT individuals may adopt several strategies for coping and integrating their identities. Some may choose to leave their religious communities altogether, while others may seek out more accepting congregations or create their own spiritual practices outside of traditional religions. Still, others may try to reconcile their sexuality and religion by reinterpreting religious teachings or seeking support from LGBT-affirmative faith leaders.
Not all coping strategies are successful, and some individuals may struggle with their identity for years after experiencing exclusion.
Further research is needed to understand the long-term impact of exclusion on LGBT individuals and how they integrate their religious and sexual identities over time. By examining this issue further, we can gain insights into how religious institutions can better support LGBT members and promote greater inclusivity within faith communities.
Promoting acceptance and understanding within religious communities can help improve the psychological well-being of all community members.
How do experiences of exclusion or marginalization within religious institutions influence long-term identity integration and psychological outcomes for LGBT individuals?
Experiences of exclusion or marginalization within religious institutions have been shown to negatively impact long-term identity integration and psychological outcomes for LGBT individuals (Liu et al. , 2019). LGBT individuals who experience such experiences may struggle with feelings of rejection, isolation, and stigma which can lead to increased levels of anxiety and depression (Sangiorgio & Chirumbolo, 2020).