Abstract

Sexual minority adolescents and adults experience higher rates of psychological risk factors and mental health disorders than their straight peers. As theorized by the minority stress model, this increased distress may be related to both external stressors (including discrimination and violence) and internal stressors (concealment, expectation of rejection, and internalized homonegativity). For some sexual minority individuals who also hold religious beliefs, conflict between their sexual orientation and religious beliefs may act as another stressor. Sexual minority adolescents and adults present to therapy at higher rates than their straight counterparts, and clients seeking help with religious and sexual conflict make up some portion of this distressed group. We qualitatively explored the therapy experiences of religious sexual minority college students using CQR methodology. Specifically, we investigated the role therapy plays in helping clients navigate conflict between their sexual orientation and religious belief. Fourteen participants completed 60-90 minute interviews that included questions about their therapy experiences. Themes emerged representing both helpful and unhelpful aspects of group and individual therapy. Helpful group themes included "learning from others,""connecting with others," and "a supportive environment;"and unhelpful themes included "not connecting with others," and "discomfort with group content." Helpful individual therapy themes included "processing and exploration" and "a supportive environment;" and unhelpful themes included "problems with the therapist" and "problems with the therapy process." Connections to Yalom's "curative factors" and common factor theory are discussed, as well as special considerations when working with a religious sexual minority population.

Degree

College and Department

Family, Home, and Social Sciences; Psychology

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