Buffie Longmire-Avital, assistant professor of psychology and her research colleague, Ja’Nina Walker, assistant professor at the University of San Francisco, found that that for black lesbian, gay, and bisexual emerging adults (ages 18 – 25) internalized homonegativity (i.e., negative thoughts regarding one’s same-sex behavior) moderated the relationship between religious faith and resiliency.
Religious faith was a significant contributor to resiliency when the participant concurrently reported high internalized homonegativity. The authors argue that failure of those working with black LGB emerging adults to recognize the complex relationship between religious faith and internalized homonegativity on resiliency may result in missed opportunities for holistic support. Clinicians should also be aware of the unique interconnectivity of racial, religious,and sexual identities and beliefs for black LGB individuals.
Sexuality and religious faith do not need to be mutually exclusive. Religious practice (e.g., attendance at worship services, level of religious observation) may decline, but religious faith doesn’t have to as well.
The article, “The Impact of Religious Faith and Internalized Homonegativity on Resiliency for Black Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Emerging Adults” appears in the December 2012 issue of Developmental Psychology, a highly selective American Psychological Association journal.
It can be currently accessed online ahead of print, doi: 10.1037/a0031059.