Depression and suicidality: Risk and protective factors found in LGBTQ+ millennials raised Seventh-day Adventist

Abstract

Introduction For many LGBTQ+ individuals, religion has been used to shame and ridicule their identity and behavior leading to feelings of rejection, mental health challenges, and substance use. Method A cross-sectional survey was used to explore religiosity/spirituality and substance use as risk or protective factors for depression and suicidality among 299 LGBTQ+ Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) and former SDA millennials. Results Regression analyses found indicators of substance use were correlated with higher depression and suicidality while religious behaviors were not associated with higher depression or suicidality. In addition, identifying as gender diverse resulted in significantly higher odds of having suicidal ideation. Conclusion Recommendations are given for clinicians working with SDA LGBTQ+ young adults and extrapolated to clients with conservative Christian backgrounds.