Leaving Patriarchal, Non-Affirming, High Demand Religion: Understanding Sexual Minority Women's Mental Health and Social Connectedness during Faith Transition

Background and Purpose: “Patriarchal, Non-Affirming, High Demand Religion” (PNAHDR) encompasses religious institutions characterized by stringent membership requirements, male- dominated power and authority structures, and a commitment to heteronormative doctrines that marginalize sexual and gender minority identities and ideologies. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (TCJCLDS/Mormon Church) exemplifies a PNAHDR, promoting anti-LGBTQ doctrine and othering or discrediting members who leave the religion, impacting mental health and familial and community connectedness. Queer post-Mormon individuals who identify as women (past or presently) experience heightened marginalization due to this intersection of gender, queer identity, and post-Mormon religious status. Existing research on queer women and faith transition from PNAHDR is minimal and significantly underrepresented. Therefore, this study’s purpose is to better understand post-Mormon queer women’s mental health and social connectedness during religious transition. Research questions include: 1) What is the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms among queer women during faith transition from PNAHDR? 2) How does anxiety and depression symptom prevalence relate to social connectedness? and 3) What differences exist in mental health symptoms by sexual orientation?

Methods: We conducted an online mixed methods survey via social media and post-Mormon groups. Approximately 747 adult women who identify as LGBTQ+ and were previously affiliated with TCJCLDS responded. The survey included multiple choice, Likert scale, and short answer questions about mental health and social/community connectedness during and post faith transition. Correlation and significance tests were completed for the research questions on anxiety, depression, and social connectedness.

Results: Respondents reported statistically significant anxiety (nervousness, intense worry, and/or feeling on edge) and depression (hopelessness and suicidal ideation) during their faith transitions. The majority (84%) reported frequent anxiety and over half (56%) reported hopelessness. Many (71.6%) experienced suicidal ideation during faith transition, with lesbian participants reporting significantly higher rates than bisexual and other non-lesbian queer identified participants. However, high suicide ideation rates were seen across the sample. Most participants frequently feared rejection from family and friends (86.7%) and experienced a loss of connection (82.3%). Anxiety, hopelessness, and suicide ideation were significantly correlated with both fear of rejection and loss of connection.

Conclusions and Implications: Post-Mormon queer women experience unique marginalization based on the intersection between queer identity, gender, and post-Mormon out-group identity. Results of this study show that many queer women experience significantly heightened anxiety, depression, suicidality, fear of rejection, and loss of community when leaving PNAHDR. More research is needed to understand their experiences, increase mental health and community support, and better amplify marginalized queer voices.