The role of spirituality in sexual minority identity

Spirituality has been widely associated with positive well-being within the general population. Although there is limited research on the impact of spirituality on sexual minority individuals, some evidence suggests it is associated with positive psychological outcomes and contributes to the development of a positive lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) identity. The present study aimed to elucidate the relationship between spirituality, gender normative beliefs, and LGB identity development. It was hypothesized that spirituality would be negatively associated with both heteronormative beliefs and attitudes and negative sexual minority identity, and that heteronormativity would mediate the relationship between spirituality and negative identity. Contrary to expectations, spirituality predicted greater heteronormativity and greater negative identity. The association between spirituality and negative identity was fully mediated by heteronormativity. Limitations and implications are discussed.