Finding Balance: How LGBTQ+ Mormons Can Boost Mental Health

LGBTQ+ individuals who grew up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints often struggle with their identity. They face a tough choice between their faith and their sexual or gender identity. This can lead to some serious mental health issues. A recent study followed 359 LGBTQ+ individuals over two to four years. The goal was to find out what actions today could lead to better mental health and less identity conflict in the future. The study tracked various factors. It looked at self-compassion, social support, authentic religious engagement, internalized homonegativity, outness, and attitudes towards masturbation. The findings were clear. Self-compassion, reducing internalized homonegativity, and genuine religious engagement were key. These factors were strongly linked to better mental health and conflict resolution over time. Self-compassion is about being kind to oneself. It's a powerful tool for mental well-being. Social support also plays a big role. Having a network of friends and family can make a huge difference. Authentic religious engagement means connecting with faith in a way that feels true to oneself. This can help reduce the conflict between religious and sexual/gender identities. Internalized homonegativity is a big problem. It's when someone absorbs negative attitudes towards their own sexual orientation. Reducing this stigma is crucial for mental health. Being out, or open about one's sexual or gender identity, can also help. It allows for more authentic relationships and support. The study also looked at attitudes towards masturbation. Seeing it as more acceptable was linked to better mental health. This might seem surprising, but it's about accepting oneself fully. It's about not letting external judgments control personal behavior. So, what can LGBTQ+ Mormons do today for a better tomorrow? Develop self-compassion. Reduce internalized stigma. Engage with faith authentically. These actions can lead to better mental health and less identity conflict in the long run. It's not about choosing between faith and identity. It's about finding a way to integrate both.