Spirituality and Multiple Dimensions of Religion Are Associated with Mental Health in Gay and Bisexual Men: Results From the One Thousand Strong Cohort.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the association between religion, spirituality, and mental health among gay and bisexual men (GBM). A U.S. national sample of 1,071 GBM completed an online survey that measured demographic characteristics, religiosity, religious coping, spirituality, and four mental health constructs (i.e., depressive symptoms, rejection sensitivity, resilience, and social support). Hierarchal linear regressions determined the associations between each mental health construct, demographic variables, and the spirituality and religion variables. Controlling for demographic characteristics, spirituality was negatively associated with depression and rejection sensitivity, and positively associated with resilience and social support (all p < .001). Religiosity was positively associated with rejection sensitivity (p < .05) and negatively associated with resilience (p < .01). Religious coping was positively associated with depression (p < .001) and rejection sensitivity (p < .05) and negatively associated with resilience (p < .05) and social support (p < .05). The interaction of spirituality with religion was significantly associated with all mental health variables. In general, religious GBM with higher levels of spirituality had better mental health outcomes. Spirituality was significantly positively associated with positive mental health outcomes and negatively associated with negative ones. Religion-solely expressed through behaviors and lacking the functional components of spirituality such as meaning-making and connection to the sacred-was associated with mental health problems among GBM. Public health interventions and clinical practice aimed at decreasing negative mental health outcomes among GBM may find it beneficial to integrate spirituality into their work.