The Double Role of Religiosity on Subjective Well-Being of Lesbians, Gays, and Bisexuals: A Moderated Mediation Model

Abstract

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to propose an explanatory model on the influence of religiosity on the subjective well-being of lesbians, gays, and bisexuals (LGB), testing internalized homonegativity as a mediator variable and LGB and religious identities’ integration as a moderator variable. The study included 409 cisgender Brazilian religious LGBs. The findings show that for individuals without integrated LGB and religious identities, there is both a positive direct effect of religiosity on the subjective well-being and an indirect negative effect mediated by internalized homonegativity, so that higher levels of religiosity lead to higher levels of internalized homonegativity, which, in turn, leads to a reduction of levels of subjective well-being. For individuals with integrated LGB and religious identities, the effect of religiosity on the well-being is only direct and positive, lacking any mediation by internalized homonegativity. This double effect of religiosity on well-being is discussed with a protective function observed when the relationship between religious beliefs and sexual orientation is not conflicting, and a punitive function, which can negatively impact well-being, through the internalization of negative beliefs about LGB identity stemming from fundamentalist and conservative religious perspectives.