The Intersection of Family Acceptance and Religion on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Youth

Abstract

While family acceptance has been shown to be protective for LGBTQ youth, the role of family acceptance within religious contexts is less clearly described. This study explored the role of religious affiliation and family acceptance on mental health outcomes among LGBTQ youth using data from the LGBTQ National Teen Survey. Key variables included (1) religious affiliation, (2) family acceptance regarding LGBTQ identity or orientation, and (3) mean depression scores. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson's correlations, and multiple linear regression models were conducted, including an interaction term to test for differences in the primary association across religious groups. The analytic sample included 9,261 youth. Mean family acceptance was 2.37 on a scale of 0–4, with 4 indicating the highest level of family acceptance. Religious affiliation was strongly associated with degree of family acceptance (p < .05). Mean depression score was 13.38 on a scale of 0–30, with 30 indicating the highest level of depression; religious affiliation was strongly associated with mean depression score (p < .05). LGBTQ family acceptance was strongly inversely associated with depressive scores, even when adjusting for potential confounders (Beta = 02.37, p < .001). The interaction of family acceptance by religion was non-significant, indicating that this association was similar for youth in all religious groups. Findings were unchanged when adjusting for demographic covariates such as gender identity or race. Our research supports existing literature showing that family acceptance is a strong protective factor for LGBTQ youth, regardless of religion of origin.