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The Relationship Between Christian Religiosity and Heterosexism in the Southern United States Patricia Hare Walden University

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The Relationship Between Christian Religiosity and Heterosexism in the Southern United States Patricia Hare Walden University Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2016 The Relationship between Christian Religiosity and Heterosexism in the Southern United States Patricia Hare Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Psychology Commons, and the Religion Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Patricia Hare has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Olga Carranza, Committee Chairperson, Psychology Faculty Dr. Michael Johnson, Committee Member, Psychology Faculty Dr. Chris Kladopoulos, University Reviewer, Psychology Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2016 Abstract The Relationship between Christian Religiosity and Heterosexism in the Southern United States by Patricia R. Hare MA, Walden University, 2012 BS, University of Phoenix, 2010 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Clinical Psychology Walden University August 2016 Abstract The internalization of heterosexism places lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals at disproportionately higher risks of depression and self-destructive behaviors. For LGB Christians, this phenomenon is often exacerbated. Although literature on heterosexism has increased, little research has examined more insular, religious environments. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between Christian denominational religiosity and heterosexism and to compare the degree of religiosity and heterosexism between members of 5 Christian denominations and between same-sex sexuality perspectives in the southern United States. Guided by the attribution theory, a correlational, cross-sectional survey design was used to analyze degree of religiosity and heterosexism among 225 self-identifying Christians as measured by the Religiosity Measure and Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men Scale. A Pearson Correlation revealed a large, positive relationship between religiosity and heterosexism. Two ANOVAs revealed significant differences in degrees of religiosity among denominations and same-sex sexuality perspective, in addition to significant differences in degrees of heterosexism among denominations and same-sex sexuality perspectives. Implications for positive social change center on illuminating the effects of heterosexism in insular environments, which may contribute to the understanding of heterosexist ideology including heteronormative assumptions that are replete throughout the United States, including mental health professions. Moreover, LGB Christians may particularly benefit from understanding the variability and distinctions within denominational religiosity, such that denominational choices become evident and viable options. The Relationship between Christian Religiosity and Heterosexism in the Southern United States by Patricia R. Hare MA, Walden University, 2012 BS, University of Phoenix, 2010 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Clinical Psychology Walden University August 2016 Dedication I would like to dedicate this dissertation to my precious mom, Carolann Bradford Cotlow. Mom, thank you for never wavering in your support. You endured my rants and stood by my side in my most trying moments. I attribute my success in academia and my understanding of social inequality to my childhood. No matter how low life would drag us down, we always emerged emboldened. And for that, I am forever grateful. Thank you for your unconditional love. Most important, thank you for being an amazing mom and nana. Acknowledgments I would like to acknowledge my loving husband, Grant, and our three boys: Gavin, Adam, and Justin. Thank you for making me a better human being. To my precious children: Everything I do, I do in the hope of making you proud. Thank you for being patient, supportive, and “quiet” so many times throughout the years as I struggled to complete my doctorate. I know it wasn’t easy. Also, I realize my advocating for the gay community comes at a cost, but fighting for the basic liberties of others is indeed a wise investment. I hope you will all strive to contribute to the well-being of others and always find the beauty in our wonderful world. I love you all more than sunshine! I would also like to extend my deepest gratitude to my “dream team” dissertation committee: Dr. Olga Carranza and Dr. Michael B. Johnson. Dr. Carranza changed my perception of society, via challenging me to examine my own privilege and recognize the cyclical impact of social hierarchy and inequality. Dr. Johnson, by virtue of “being” obliterates the longstanding notion that wit, common sense, and intelligence are mutually exclusive. I thank them both for giving me the autonomy to delve into my research while keeping a protective and watchful eye. Their patience and support have proven unparalleled and I simply cannot image a more formidable duo. It has been an honor and privilege to work with them both and include their names on my dissertation. Throughout my career, I will no doubt benefit from their mentoring. Table of Contents List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v List of Figures .................................................................................................................... vi Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Introduction ..............................................................................................................1 Background ..............................................................................................................2 Summarization of Literature ....................................................................................3 Gaps in Knowledge ..................................................................................................4 Utility of Study ........................................................................................................4 Problem Statement ...................................................................................................5 Purpose of the Study ................................................................................................6 Research Questions ..................................................................................................7 Hypotheses ...............................................................................................................8 Theoretical Framework ..........................................................................................10 Nature of the Study ................................................................................................12 Definitions..............................................................................................................13 Assumptions ...........................................................................................................15 Scope and Delimitations ........................................................................................15 i Limitations .............................................................................................................16 Significance of the Study .......................................................................................17 Summary ................................................................................................................19 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................22 Introduction ............................................................................................................22 Literature Search Strategy......................................................................................24 Theoretical Framework ..........................................................................................25 Religiosity ..............................................................................................................28 Historical Overview ...............................................................................................30 The Historical, Social, and Psychological Stigmatization of Homosexuality .......42 The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders .................................44 Negative and Positive Psychological Consequences of Religiosity and Heterosexism for Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Populations ...................................47 The Persistence of Negative Attitudes toward Homosexuality .............................55 Summary and Conclusions ....................................................................................61 Chapter 3: Research Method .............................................................................................64 Introduction
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