Stigma, Depression, Suicidal Thoughts and Coping of Sexual Minority Youth Raised in Conservative Versus Mainstream Denominations of Christianity: A Mixed Method Study

Abstract

We quantitatively examined whether Dutch sexual minority youth raised with conservative Protestantism reported more family- and self-stigmatization, suicidal ideation, and depression than those socialized by Catholicism or Mainline Protestantism. Subsequently, we qualitatively examined how youth raised with conservative Protestantism coped with sexuality identity and mental health challenges. Survey data came from sexual minority youth (N = 584, age 16–25) raised with conservative Protestantism (Evangelical/Pentecostal n = 44 and Dutch Orthodox Reformed n = 88, Mainline Protestantism n = 117, and Catholicism n = 335). Group differences in associations were studied through univariate analysis of variance. Next, thematic and interpretative analyses of six interviews of survey respondents raised with conservative Protestantism were performed. Sexual minority youth raised with Evangelicalism/Pentecostalism reported significant higher levels of family stigmatization and suicidal ideation than youth raised with other Christian religions. They addressed these challenges by religious coping, formulating critiques of stigma, and support from Christian self-help groups.