Event Title
LGBT+ Seventh-day Adventist Millennials and Their Families: Religiosity, Risk and Resilience
Location
Seminary Room S120
Start Date
15-2-2019 8:30 AM
End Date
15-2-2019 8:50 AM
Description
In 2016, a team of SDA researchers conducted the first of its kind denominational study of LGBT + Millennials exploring their experiences of coming out to their families, churches, and pastors. They also explored the impact of coming out on family relationships, depression, suicidality, substance abuse, and self-esteem. The research team is currently completing both qualitative and quantitative research of SDA parents and the impact of their child’s coming out on them and their relationship with their child.
SDA Millennials reported a high degree of rejection by their parents that correlated with self-rejection, very high rates of depression, and both suicidal thoughts and attempts. Involvement in religious practices (religiosity) was correlated with lower rates of depression and suicidality. Many family members report initial shock and denial but also reported adjusting to their child’s coming out to them. Many retain internal fear about their child and the child’s salvation even while they externally show love and support. Millennials report that only one-third were comfortable coming out to their parents for fear of rejection. Fewer felt comfortable coming out to their church family or their pastor.
LGBT+ Seventh-day Adventist Millennials and Their Families: Religiosity, Risk and Resilience
Seminary Room S120
In 2016, a team of SDA researchers conducted the first of its kind denominational study of LGBT + Millennials exploring their experiences of coming out to their families, churches, and pastors. They also explored the impact of coming out on family relationships, depression, suicidality, substance abuse, and self-esteem. The research team is currently completing both qualitative and quantitative research of SDA parents and the impact of their child’s coming out on them and their relationship with their child.
SDA Millennials reported a high degree of rejection by their parents that correlated with self-rejection, very high rates of depression, and both suicidal thoughts and attempts. Involvement in religious practices (religiosity) was correlated with lower rates of depression and suicidality. Many family members report initial shock and denial but also reported adjusting to their child’s coming out to them. Many retain internal fear about their child and the child’s salvation even while they externally show love and support. Millennials report that only one-third were comfortable coming out to their parents for fear of rejection. Fewer felt comfortable coming out to their church family or their pastor.