Poster #50 - Explaining Why Religious Adolescents are at Lower Risk for Suicidality: Comparing Across Sexual Orientations

• In Event: Poster Session 08

Abstract

Religiosity/spirituality is generally associated with better mental health (Koenig, 2018; Oman & Syme, 2018) including lower rates of suicidality (i.e., suicidal thoughts, attempts, and dying by suicide; Stack & Kposowa, 2016). Various theories have been propounded for why religion may be related to lower rates of suicide. These include theories of religious integration and religious networks where individuals feel a sense of group belonging and receive social supports from religious networks (see Stack & Kposowa, 2011).



However, whether religion is related to lower suicidality for sexual minorities has been questioned (Lytle et al., 2018). A recent meta-analysis found, on average, religion/spirituality related to better mental health for sexual minorities (Lefevor, Davis, et al., 2021).

However, one critique of this analysis is that it fails to account for the religion’s stance on homosexuality. Indeed, several have raised the question of whether religiosity is related to better mental health for sexual minorities who affiliate with more sexually conservative religions (Dehlin et al., 2015; Lefevor, Skidmore, et al., 2021; Rosik et al., 2021). Some studies have found sexual minorities who are part of a highly sexually conservative religion (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) to have better mental health and lower rates of suicidality than those of other religions or no religion (Cranney, 2017; Dyer et al., 2022). However, the reasons for these lower rates of suicidality, particularly for sexual minorities, have not been well explained.

Current Study
The purpose of this study was to examine whether suicidality is lower for adolescents affiliated with sexually conservative religions than youth not affiliated and, if so, determine what explains that difference for both heterosexual and sexual minorities. Data come from the 2021 Utah Prevention Needs Assessment survey conducted as part of the Student Health and Risk Prevention (SHARP) Statewide Survey administered by the Utah Department of Human Services. There were 46,823 participants in grades 8, 10, and 12. Of those, 7,706 identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or questioning (LGBQ). Using weights, data are representative of all Utah youth in grades 8, 10, and 12.

Initial mediation analyses in Mplus 8.8 were conducted with suicide ideation as the outcome and religious affiliation as exogenous. Mediators between affiliation and suicidality include those that are theoretically connected with the concepts of social integration and religious networks including family conflict, feeling safe in the neighborhood and at school, and being bullied. Mediators also include other aspects related to religiosity such as depression and family and adolescent drug use. Initial findings suggest affiliation with the Catholic Church and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (compared to those of no religion) is related to lower suicide ideation for both heterosexuals and sexual minorities. The variables primarily explaining these lower rates for both heterosexuals and sexual minorities was depression and lower drug use by either the adolescent or the family. The full presentation will contain additional comparisons as well as tests of whether religious affiliation has as stronger relationship with suicidality for heterosexuals or sexual minorities.

Author

• William Justin Dyer, Brigham Young University
  Presenting Author