Sexual and Religious Identity Development Among Adolescent and Emerging Adult Sexual ...

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All Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies
5-2011
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Angie L. Dahl
Utah State University
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Dahl, Angie L., "Sexual and Religious Identity Development Among Adolescent and Emerging Adult Sexual
Minorities" (2011). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 995.
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SEXUAL AND RELIGIOUS IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT AMONG
ADOLESCENT AND EMERGING ADULT SEXUAL MINORITIES

by

Angie L. Dahl

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the degree

of

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

in

Psychology

Approved:

Renee V. Galliher, Ph.D. Gretchen Gimpel Peacock, Ph.D.
Major Professor Committee Member

Melanie M. Domenech Rodríguez, Ph.D. Susan Crowley, Ph.D.
Committee Member Committee Member

Christy Glass, Ph.D. Byron Burnham, Ed.D.
Committee Member Dean of Graduate Studies

UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY
Logan, Utah

2011
ii

Copyright © Angie L. Dahl

All rights reserved
iii

ABSTRACT

Sexual and Religious Identity Development Among Adolescent and

Emerging Adult Sexual Minorities

by

Angie L. Dahl, Doctor of Philosophy

Utah State University, 2011

Major Professor: Dr. Renee Galliher
Department: Psychology

As the majority of Americans identify with a religious affiliation, the religious
context is an important backdrop upon which identity development occurs. For lesbian,
gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and allied (LGBTQA) youths, the process
of development may be complicated in a religious context due to denominational
positions on same-sex sexuality. While recent researchers highlighted the importance of
contextual influences on LGBTQA developmental processes, few studies have examined
LGBTQA sexual and religious identity development. The goal of the current study was to
gain a better understanding and appreciation of LGBTQA adolescent and young adult
experiences of religious and sexual identity development.
Eight adolescents (15-18 years) and 11 emerging adults (19-24 years) who
identified as both LGBTQA and having been raised in an active Christian religious
tradition participated in the study. The study included three phases: face-to-face
iv

individual interviews, journal writings, and focus groups. In each phase of the study,
participants were asked to reflect on their experiences of sexual and religious identity
development across childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood (if applicable).
Findings from the current study supported three broad themes and several subthemes.
Early in their development, participants described a behavioral religious participation and
early awareness of their same-sex attractions. The young adult participants also shared a
tendency to deny their attractions. During their middle phase of experiences, participants
often self-labeled as LGBTQA. Religiously, participants shared they questioned their
beliefs yet continued their religious participation. A proportion of the participants
indicated experiencing guilt, conflict, and mental health difficulties, which many
participants related to their emerging sexual orientation and religious involvement. The
late experiences, which often coincided with sharing a same-sex attracted label with
friends and/or family members, was marked by a religious disengagement, social
consequences, self-acceptance, and personal values clarification. Using the participants’
own words these findings are presented, along with possible implications and suggestions
for future research.
(151 pages)
v

ACKNOWLEGMENTS

As I near the end of my formal training at Utah State University, I have been
reflecting on the ways my experiences on the fourth floor of the education building have
shaped my own identity, both professionally and personally. Certainly, I have been
impacted by numerous individuals who have guided, challenged, and molded me into the
person I am today. Undoubtedly, Dr. Renee Galliher has provided much of this direction.
I would like to thank her for her encouragement, example, direction, guidance, patience,
and most of all, her dedication, over the previous 5 years. She has been a model of
mentorship that I hope to aspire to someday. Second, Maure Smith, program coordinator
of the LGBTQA services at Utah State University, has been instrumental in helping me
recruit participants for this project. Her insight and assistance have been vital to the
project’s success.
Third, I also greatly appreciate the time and expertise of my committee members,
Drs. Melanie Domenech-Rodriguez, Gretchen Gimpel Peacock, Susan Crowley, and
Christy Glass. Your feedback was vital to the completion of this project. Fourth, to Jonah
and Finley—thank you. Jonah, you have been patient and understanding during my
“hyper-focused” years of graduate school. Finley Grace, thank you for going to bed at 7
p.m. so mom could work on her schoolwork. Finally, this project would not have been
possible without the cooperation of 19 passionate and resilient individuals: Dane, Marla,
Elliot, Ryan, Alex, Bryce, Apollo, Rob, Jane, Lynn, Wil, Alonsa, Joseph, Erika, Tommy,
vi

Alexia, Andrew, Clyde, and Capernicus—I am humbled that you were willing to share
your lives with me. Thank you.
Angie L. Dahl
vii

CONTENTS

Page

ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................... iii

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................. v

LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................... ix

CHAPTER

I. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................... 1

The Researcher ................................................................................................ 1
The Study ........................................................................................................ 3

II. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ................................................................ 5

History of Same-Sex Attraction and Behavior ............................................... 5
Theories and Models of Sexuality Development ............................................ 12
Religion and Identity Development ................................................................ 17
Purpose and Objectives ................................................................................... 33

III. METHODS ..................................................................................................... 34

Overview ......................................................................................................... 34
Participants ...................................................................................................... 38

IV. FINDINGS ...................................................................................................... 48

Adolescent Trajectories .................................................................................. 48
Young Adult Trajectories ............................................................................... 63
Additional Themes .......................................................................................... 87

V. DISCUSSION ................................................................................................. 91

Early Experiences ........................................................................................... 92
Middle Experiences ........................................................................................ 94
Late Experiences ............................................................................................. 97
Personal and Contextual Factors ..................................................................... 103
Implications..................................................................................................... 106
Limitations ...................................................................................................... 108
viii

Page

Summary and Conclusion ............................................................................... 109

REFERENCES .............................................................................................................. 112

APPENDICES ............................................................................................................... 121

Appendix A: Recruitment Email .................................................................. 122
Appendix B: Letters of Informed Consent ................................................... 124
Appendix C: Interview Script ....................................................................... 131

CURRICULUM VITAE ................................................................................................ 134
ix

LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

1. Research Summaries: Sexual Minority Religiosity and Health Outcomes ....... 24

2. Research Summaries: Sexual and Religious Identity Integration ...................... 27

3. Participant Information ...................................................................................... 39