What is it about?
There can be distinct challenges to spiritual expression and mental health issues for youth who identify as LGBT+.The goal of this paper was to undertake a systematic review of the available evidence to investigate the relationship between mental health, spirituality and religion as experienced by LGBT+ youth.
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Why is it important?
The key findings highlighted issues around discriminatory attitudes, shame related to disclosure, spirituality as a supportive resource, internalised conflict and external factors around sexual orientation concerns. The psychological, social and health implications are presented and discussed.
Perspectives
Support for marginalized groups should be a pivotal point for all churches and religious institutions that are open, non-judgemental and accepting of all, and given the potential ( positive or negative) influence of spirituality on LGBT+ youth, particularly in relation to their mental health. More needs to know about the potential of addressing and supporting LGBT+ youths’ spiritual needs and its effect on their overall outcome (recovery and staying well if they are diagnosed with mental health issues) and also prevention of mental health issues.
Dr Edward McCann
City, University of London
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: An Exploration of the Relationship Between Spirituality, Religion and Mental Health Among Youth Who Identify as LGBT+: A Systematic Literature Review, Journal of Religion and Health, February 2020, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1007/s10943-020-00989-7.
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