Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

Article Title

The Use of Positive Psychological Methods by Religious Leaders and Their Effects on Depression in the LGB Community

Authors

Abstract

Depression among lesbians, gays, and bisexuals (LGB individuals) is a complex issue involving many possible factors, including internalized homophobia and discrimination. Religiosity and religious leaders can exert both protecting and risk-inducing influences o n LGB depression, depending on how liberal or conservative the congregation’s stance is. The more conservative and non-gay-affirming a congregation is, the more likely an LGB individual is to develop depression (Gattis, Woodford, & Han, 2014). Positive psychology may help decrease the impact of intolerance on LGB individuals (Burckhardt, Manicavasagar, Batterham, & Hadzi-Pavlovic, 2016; Vaughan & Rodriguez, 2014). Through the use of positive psychology methods, such as reappraisal, acceptance, and problem-solving (Burckhardt et al., 2016), religious leaders may more effectively reduce symptoms of depression in the LGB population of their congregations. These adaptive emotional regulation strategies have potential to impact not only the LGB community but also the religious society as a whole.

Recommended Citation

(2017) "The Use of Positive Psychological Methods by Religious Leaders and Their Effects on Depression in the LGB Community," Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology: Vol. 12: Iss. 2, Article 13.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/intuition/vol12/iss2/13