Browsing by Author "Russon, Jody M."

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    Attachment-Based Family Therapy as an Adjunct to Family-Based Treatment for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa
    Wagner, Ingrid; Diamond, Guy S.; Levy, Suzanne; Russon, Jody M.; Litster, Richard (Wiley, 2016-06)
    Adolescent anorexia nervosa (AN) has a significant and long-standing impact for the health and well being of young people and their families. The determinants of illness are multi-factorial, however, adolescent AN has been consistently associated with parental distress (e.g., depression, anxiety, alcoholism), family conflict, and low parental warmth toward the adolescent. Whilst Family Based Therapy (FBT) for adolescent AN is the recommended first line of treatment, a substantial proportion of patients do not experience remission by the end of therapy or may relapse following remission. Although a range of adjuncts to FBT have been proposed, no preferred model has emerged. In this paper, we compare and contrast Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) with FBT, and argue that ABFT’s focus on relationships, rather than behaviours, could make a substantive contribution to the practice of FBT. We present a case study to demonstrate how ABFT may help to alleviate some of the maintaining factors of adolescent AN through the repair of parent–child relational ruptures.
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    Attachment-Based Family Therapy for Suicidal Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adolescents: A Case Study
    Levy, Suzanne; Russon, Jody M.; Diamond, Gary M. (Wiley, 2016-06)
    The majority of sexual minority adolescents are well-adjusted and healthy, however, on average, 28% report suicidal ideation and between 15% and 40% make a suicide attempt each year. These rates are two to seven times higher than those found among heterosexual youths. Research has shown the protective function of parental support and acceptance, as well as the deleterious effects of parental criticism, invalidation, and rejection on the mental health of sexual minority adolescents. Given these risk and protective factors, these adolescents might benefit from an intervention that targets family relationships. Toward this goal, Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) specifically aims to improve the quality of adolescent–parent relationships. In prior treatment developmental work, ABFT was adapted and pilot tested for depressed and suicidal lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adolescents. By adopting an evidence-based case study format, this paper provides a case summary to illustrate how the therapy was conducted. The case study consists of a vignette, followed by therapy task descriptions and illustrative transcripts. Examples of key therapeutic moments in ABFT, for depressed and suicidal LGB adolescents, are discussed in the context of the case.
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    Attachment-based family therapy in the age of telehealth and COVID-19
    Levy, Suzanne; Mason, Syreeta; Russon, Jody M.; Diamond, Guy S. (Wiley, 2021-03-22)
    The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed so many aspects of our lives. For psychotherapists, telehealth is likely a permanent part of the future mental health landscape. For family therapists using a manualized treatment, this brings unique challenges and creative opportunities. In this article, we describe the adaptation of attachment-based family therapy (ABFT) in the context of telehealth and COVID-19. ABFT is an empirically supported treatment model designed for adolescents and young adults struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, and suicide. ABFT is a semi-structured, process-oriented, and trauma-informed family therapy model which presents its own unique challenges and benefits in telehealth environments. We present our adaptations based on years of telehealth clinical experience and address how this model supports the impact of COVID-19 on families.
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    Attachment-Based Family Therapy: A Review of the Empirical Support
    Diamond, Guy S.; Russon, Jody M.; Levy, Suzanne (Wiley, 2016-09)
    Attachment-based family therapy (ABFT) is an empirically supported treatment designed to capitalize on the innate, biological desire for meaningful and secure relationships. The therapy is grounded in attachment theory and provides an interpersonal, process-oriented, trauma-focused approach to treating adolescent depression, suicidality, and trauma. Although a process-oriented therapy, ABFT offers a clear structure and road map to help therapists quickly address attachment ruptures that lie at the core of family conflict. Several clinical trials and process studies have demonstrated empirical support for the model and its proposed mechanism of change. This article provides an overview of the clinical model and the existing empirical support for ABFT.
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    Authenticity and Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual College Students
    Russon, Jody M.; Schmidt, Christa K. (Informa, 2014-01-01)
    Theories in career development have discussed the importance of career decision-making self-efficacy (CDMSE); however, there has been little development in this area for the lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) community. Research has shown that LGB individuals may experience disruptions in career development if psychological energy is diverted to developing sexual identity. The present study sought to determine if authenticity, a strength-based characteristic, predicted CDMSE among LGB individuals. Survey results from 95 LGB-identified individuals indicated that components of authenticity, specifically unbiased processing and awareness, accounted for a significant amount of variance in CDMSE. Implications for social service professionals are discussed.
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    Demonstrating Attachment-Based Family Therapy for Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth with Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior: A Case Study
    Russon, Jody M.; Smithee, Lauren; Simpson, Samantha; Levy, Suzanne; Diamond, Guy S. (Wiley, 2021-05-27)
    Suicide is a growing public health issue among adolescents. While the majority of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth are healthy, many experience suicidal thoughts and behavior (STB). Due to discrimination and stigma, TGD youth attempt suicide at higher rates then heterosexual, cisgender and even cisgender, LGBQ youth. Despite this vulnerability to suicide, few treatments have been developed and tested for this population. One treatment, attachment-based family therapy (ABFT) has been adapted to work with LGBQ youth and may be promising for TGD adolescents at risk for suicide. This article provides an overview of our ABFT modifications for TGD youth with thoughts of suicide. Specifically, we illustrate how treatment outcomes, in a single case study, relate to processes within clinical treatment tasks. The case study demonstrates the application of these ABFT modifications with a self-identified, gender nonconforming adolescent (who had recently attempted suicide) and his caregivers. Treatment evaluation measures were collected over the course of 24 weeks to illustrate the youth's clinical progress. The youth's suicidal symptoms diminished markedly by the end of treatment. Further, the family reported an increased ability for problem solving and more open communication by treatment conclusion.
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    Differences in Mental Health Symptoms Across Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Questioning Youth in Primary Care Settings
    Shearer, Annie; Herres, Joanna; Kodish, Tamar; Squitieri, Helen; James, Kiera; Russon, Jody M.; Atte, Tita; Diamond, Guy S. (Elsevier, 2016-07)
    Purpose: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning (LGBQ) youth exhibit significantly higher rates of mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and nonsuicidal selfinjury than their heterosexual peers. Past studies tend to group LGBQ youth together; however, more recent studies suggest subtle differences in risk between sexual minority groups. This study examined differences in mental health symptoms across male and female youth who are attracted to the same sex (gay and lesbian), opposite sex (heterosexual), both sexes (bisexual), or are unsure of whom they were attracted to (questioning) in a sample of 2,513 youth (ages 14e24 years). Methods: Data were collected using the Behavioral Health Screenda Web-based screening tool that assesses psychiatric symptoms and risk behaviorsdduring routine well visits. Results: Bisexual and questioning females endorsed significantly higher scores on the depression, anxiety, and traumatic distress subscales than did heterosexual females. Lesbians, bisexual females, and questioning females all exhibited significantly higher lifetime suicide scores than heterosexual females. Interestingly, bisexual females exhibited the highest current suicide scores. Gay and bisexual males endorsed significantly higher scores on the depression and traumatic distress subscales than did heterosexual males. Gay males also exhibited higher scores on the anxiety subscale than heterosexual males, with bisexual males exhibiting a nonsignificant trend toward higher scores as well. Conclusions: Findings highlight varying level of risk across subgroups of LGBQ youth and suggest the importance of considering LGBQ groups separately in the context of a behavioral health assessment, especially for females.
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    Emotional Intimacy in Transition: Interpersonal Processes in Transgender-Cisgender Romantic Relationships
    Smithee, Lauren (Virginia Tech, 2021-06-17)
    Relationships in which one partner is transgender are disproportionately challenging compared to other LGBQ+ relationships (Gamarel et al., 2014; Pulice-Farrow et al., 2017). While research has yet to examine how transgender-cisgender couples experience emotional intimacy, it is theorized that this process may be critical for relationship health during gender transition. This study explored how transgender-cisgender couples experience emotional intimacy during their transition process. Symbolic interactionism was used to examine the questions: (1) How do perceptions of couple emotional intimacy influence how each partner assigns meaning to their experiences with transitioning? and (2) How do partners communicate about their emotional experiences during their transition process? Constructivist grounded theory was used to analyze individual interviews with 20 transgender and cisgender participants (ten couples) using group-level analysis. The process model that emerged from the data indicated that transgender and cisgender partners experienced emotional tensions internally and within their relationships as they created meaning from their experiences with transitioning. Tensions created pathways for partners to emotionally withdraw from or engage in communication about their experiences. Communication processes ebbed and flowed as partners created meaning for their relationship in transition. When couples engaged in communication, they created shared meaning about their experiences and strengthened emotional intimacy. Data revealed that these processes of building and sustaining emotional intimacy were interactional and iterative. Recommendations for research and clinical work with these couples are provided, in light of these findings.
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    Evaluating attachment-based family therapy in residential treatment in the United States: does adolescents’ increased attachment security to caregivers lead to decreases in depressive symptoms?
    Diamond, Guy; Rivers, Alannah S.; Winston-Lindeboom, Payne; Russon, Jody M.; Roeske, Michael (2024-11-13)
    Background: The inclusion of family therapy in residential treatment centers (RTCs) has increased over time. However, there is little data on whether empirically-supported family therapies (ESFTs) are being adopted and if they contribute to treatment effectiveness. This study aimed to test whether Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT), an ESFT integrated into a large residential psychiatric system, would improve perceived attachment insecurity (anxiety and avoidance) and contribute to decreases in depression for adolescents. Method: ABFT was integrated into the clinical program of a large, residential psychiatric system. All family therapists were trained to a level of certification. Improvement was measured by changes in adolescent’s perceived attachment to caregivers and reduction in depressive symptoms. The sample included 4786 patients. Attachment insecurity and depressive symptoms were measured at intake, week 3, and week 5. A random-intercept, cross-lagged panel model was used to examine the relationships between attachment and depression over time. Results: The results generally supported hypotheses. Attachment insecurity and depressive symptoms improved over the five weeks of treatment. Improvements in attachment avoidance preceded improvements in depressive symptoms within subjects, over time. Simultaneously, improvements in depressive symptoms preceded those in both dimensions of attachment. Thus, improvement in perceived attachment was associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms. Conclusion: RTCs that can generate improvements in attachment insecurity and depressive symptoms, via ABFT or other ESFTs, might improve treatment outcomes, and ideally, adolescents’ successful transition back home to families. More research is needed to disentangle the contribution of ABFT and other treatment elements in a multimodal, residential treatment program. The study supports the call for increased incorporation of families into the RTC treatment process.
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    Family processes: Risk, protective and treatment factors for youth at risk for suicide
    Diamond, Guy S.; Kodish, Tamar; Ewing, E. Stephanie Krauthamer; Hunt, Quintin A.; Russon, Jody M. (Elsevier, 2021-03)
    Family factors have continually been identified as potential risk and protective factors for youth at risk for suicide. This paper reviews family processes that not only are associated with suicide risk, but also might be malleable enough to target in treatment. We also review family intervention components that have been incorporated into most youth suicide treatments. Unfortunately, research on if and how these family processes moderate, mediate or change as a result of treatment is limited. Recommendations for future research are offered.
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    Grandfamilies and Grandchild Adverse Childhood Experiences: An Examination of Service Needs, Utilization, and Best Practices
    Stucki, Bradford David (Virginia Tech, 2022-05-31)
    Grandfamilies, or families in which grandparents are raising their grandchildren, often form due to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) experienced by the grandchildren. ACEs have been linked to multiple negative short- and long-term behavioral and emotional consequences for children. Yet, having an ACE history does not guarantee negative outcomes, as protective factors such as positive relationships with a safe and caring adult, healthy family functioning, and utilization of formal services can mitigate the negative effects of ACEs. Researchers have regularly called on families to seek timely intervention and services for ACEs; however, many grandparents raising grandchildren report negative interactions with service providers as well as service delivery. Limited research has explored the extent to which grandfamilies with ACEs may have experienced similar interactions while seeking and using formal services. Guided by Andersen's (1995) Behavioral Model of Health Service Use, this qualitative study sought to explore (1) the service needs of grandchildren with an ACE history who are being raised by their grandparents; (2) the service needs of grandparents raising grandchildren with an ACE history; (3) the process of seeking services when grandparents raising a grandchild with an ACE history look for services for their grandchild; and (4) best practices for delivering services to grandfamilies with an ACE history. The research questions were primarily addressed through via interviewing 10 grandparents from Central Appalachia who were raising a grandchild with an ACE history and by conducting two focus groups of 8 to 12 formal service providers with experience working with grandparents raising grandchildren with an ACE history. Interview data were analyzed using grounded theory and focus group data were analyzed through thematic analysis. Study findings indicated that grandchildren have emotional and developmental needs. Grandparents described needs related to the emotional impact of raising a grandchild with an ACE history, family and parent involvement, and parenting a grandchild with an ACE history. Study results also highlighted how grandparents can expect to encounter barriers throughout the service seeking and delivery process. Study results also highlighted the critical nature of having a strong relationship with a service provider and the importance of a service provider reducing barriers, being attentive to grandfamily needs, and involving the grandparent in the treatment process. Finally, results from the focus groups revealed best practices such as providing grandparents with education on ACEs, being aware of intergenerational ACE cycles, and engaging in assessment and intervention when working with this population. Implications for clinical practice as well as directions for future research are discussed.
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    "I Want to be Free the Lebanese Way": An Interpretive Phenomenology Examination of Lebanese American Queer Youth's Experiences of Family Secrecy
    El Helou, Lea (Virginia Tech, 2022-06-21)
    Limited knowledge is available around the experiences of queer Lebanese American young adults, specifically around family secrecy around their sexuality. This gap in the marriage and family therapy research has significant implications, and erases the experiences of queer Arab young adults around disclosure of their sexual identity. This study examined the experiences of 19 Lebanese American young adults navigating secrecy around their sexual identity. Research questions presented were the following: a) How do queer Lebanese American young adults experience family secrecy surrounding their sexual identity and relationship? b) How do queer Lebanese American young adults interpret the process of family secrecy and are impacted by family secrecy? c) What are queer Lebanese American young adults' experiences of shifts in boundaries and alliances as a result of family secrecy? The study utilized structural family therapy or SFT (Minuchin, 1974) as the theoretical framework to guide the conceptualization of family dynamics and how they are impacted by the family secrecy surrounding the participants' sexuality. Findings illustrated the complexity of the family secrecy process, which is fraught with complex emotions, which resulted in a decision-making process around who to include in the secret, who to keep out of the secrecy, as well as strategies employed to maintain the secrecy and protect the family members from the implications of disclosure. Participants described the process as stressful and signifying shame around their sexual identities, and feeling as though their two identities, Lebanese and queer, were conflicting and could not coexist together. Findings also demonstrated the family unit's resilience and collectivism through participants relying on their family members, particularly mothers and siblings, to navigate this complex landscape. The findings have research and clinical implications, emphasizing the need to extend the discourse around sexual identity and disclosure to include Lebanese and Middle Eastern families within the field of family science.
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    Identifying Risk Factors for Disordered Eating among Female Youth in Primary Care
    Russon, Jody M.; Mensinger, Janell; Herres, Joanna; Shearer, Annie; Vaughan, Katherine; Wang, Shirley B.; Diamond, Guy S. (Springer, 2019-10-01)
    Eating disorders are a serious, life-threating condition impacting adolescents and young adults. Providers in primary care settings have an important role in identifying disordered eating (DE) symptoms. Unfortunately, symptoms go undetected in 50% of patients in medical settings. Using the behavioral health screen, this study identified DE risk profiles in a sample of 3620 female adolescents and young adults (ages 14–24), presenting in primary care. A latent class analysis with twenty psychosocial factors identified three DE risk groups. The group at highest risk for DE was characterized by endorsement of internalizing symptoms and a history of trauma. The next risk group consisted of those with externalizing symptoms, particularly substance use. The group at lowest risk for DE reported more time spent with friends compared to their peers. Primary care providers and psychiatric teams can benefit from knowing the psychosocial risk patterns affiliated with DE, and using brief, comprehensive screening tools to identify these symptoms.
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    Intentional Mothering: A Black Feminist-Informed Thematic Analysis of How Black Queer Mothers Engage in Motherwork, Navigate Informal Support, and Access Community Resources
    Cooke, Stephanie Cheyenne (Virginia Tech, 2023-05-16)
    Recent literature suggests that LGBTQ+ women of color are more likely to raise children or have children in the home compared to White LGBTQ+ women (Gates, 2013, 2015). Most of the LGBTQ+ motherhood research has focused narrowly on one domain of queer motherhood, lesbian mothers' experience of mothering (Bible et al., 2018) and centered on the experiences of White, middle-class, cisgender mothers (Brainer et al., 2020; Manley and Ross, 2020; Reczek, 2020). The interlocking nature of multiple marginalized identities places Black queer mothers at a unique intersection of oppression (Crenshaw, 1991). Exploring the complexity of lived experience among Black mothers who identify with a plurisexual identity (i.e., bi, queer, pan, or fluid; Galupo, 2018) provides family scientists and scholar-practitioners an opportunity to analyze the internal, relational, and institutional influences that reinforce or challenge racism, sexism, and homophobia. The present study sought to understand how Black queer mothers experience motherwork as queer mothers, how they build and navigate networks of support, and how they use community resources. The study was guided by intersectionality rooted within the theoretical framework of Black Feminist Thought, as well as an emphasis on motherwork as both a theoretical framework and a concept explored. Using reflexive thematic analysis, semi- structured interviews (Mtime = 79.63 minutes), photovoice submissions, and photovoice interviews (Mtime = 38.32 minutes) were conducted with 10 participants (8 of the 10 participants completed photovoice). Four key themes were identified (a) Attentiveness and Resistance to Discrimination (subtheme: Active Reflectivity in Parenting Strategies); (b) Promoting Openness of Self-Expression in Child(ren) (subtheme: Queer Identity Helps Foster Acceptance and Intentionality); (c) Negotiating Informal Support (three subthemes: Barriers to Support, Desiring Like-Minded Social Groups, and Boundaries in Close Relationships Are Critical); and (d) Emphasis on Finding the "Right" Environment to Meet Family Needs (subtheme: Utilizing Individual or Couples Therapy). Findings have implications for the family science literature by providing an in-depth, Black feminist understanding of how Black queer mothers engage in queer motherwork, navigate informal support, and strategically access community resources.
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    Predicting Alliance for Depressed and Suicidal Adolescents: The Role of Perceived Attachment to Mothers
    Ibrahim, Maliha; Jin, Bora; Russon, Jody M.; Diamond, Guy S.; Kobak, Roger (Informa, 2018-01-02)
    Background. Although therapeutic alliance is a robust predictor of treatment outcomes in child and adolescent psychotherapy, less is known about relational factors, such as youth’s attachment, to mothers and fathers. The current study investigated anxious or avoidant attachment to mothers or fathers as predictors of early formation of the therapeutic alliance in a high-risk sample of depressed and suicidal adolescents. Methods. Changes in adolescents’ alliance ratings between the first and fourth treatment sessions was examined in a comparative efficacy trial (N = 115) of Attachment Based Family Therapy and Family Enhanced Non-Directive Supportive Therapy for suicidal and depressed adolescents. Multilevel regression analysis accounted for nested data by therapist and treatment condition. Results. After accounting for significant random effects in our multilevel model associated with therapist to treatment condition, results revealed a significant effect of perceived insecurity to mothers leading to lower levels of therapeutic alliance at session four (β = -0.49, p < .05). Discussion. The quality of adolescents’ attachments to parents may play an important role in adolescents’ ability to form strong working relationships with a therapist. Findings suggested that adolescents with avoidant attachment styles may be more difficult to engage in treatment and could benefit from specific interventions focused on alliance-building.
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    Promoting parental acceptance of bisexuality: A case study of attachment-based family therapy
    Ibrahim, Maliha; Russon, Jody M.; Levy, Suzanne; Diamond, Guy S. (Informa, 2018-07-03)
    Attachment-based family therapy is an empirically supported, manualized treatment spanning over 15 years of research and clinical practice. Increasingly, research and clinical evidence emphasize the modification of family therapy models to meet the needs of diverse clients. Best practices require culturallysensitive therapists to attend to issues of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, class, and ability. The ABFT model has been evolving to address the health disparities associated with marginalization and attend to the specialized needs of diverse families. This clinical case study demonstrates how ABFT clinicians must adopt an intersectional approach to be successful in building and sustaining relational repair. Transcripts from a case with a religious, African-American family and their bisexual daughter outline the structure and sequence of ABFT. An analysis of this case illustrates the impact of intersectionality on clinical processes and mechanisms of change.
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    A Randomized Controlled Trial: Attachment-Based Family and Nondirective Supportive Treatments for Youth Who Are Suicidal
    Diamond, Guy S.; Kobak, R. Roger; Ewing, E. Stephanie Krauthamer; Levy, Suzanne; Herres, Joanna; Russon, Jody M.; Gallop, Robert J. (Elsevier, 2019-07-01)
    Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of attachment-based family therapy (ABFT) compared with a family-enhanced nondirective supportive therapy (FE-NST) for decreasing adolescents’ suicide ideation and depressive symptoms. Method: A randomized controlled trial of 129 adolescents who are suicidal ages 12- to 18-years-old (49% were African American) were randomized to ABFT (n = 66) or FE-NST (n = 63) for 16 weeks of treatment. Assessments occurred at baseline and 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks. Trajectory of change and clinical recovery were calculated for suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms. Results: There was no significant between-group difference in the rate of change in self-reported ideation (Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Jr; F1,127 = 181, p = .18). Similar results were found for depressive symptoms. However, adolescents receiving ABFT showed a significant decrease in suicide ideation (t127 = 12.61, p < .0001; effect size, d = 2.24). Adolescents receiving FE-NST showed a similar significant decrease (t127 = 10.88, p < .0001; effect size, d = 1.93). Response rates (ie, ≥50% decrease in suicide ideation symptoms from baseline) at post-treatment were 69.1% for ABFT versus 62.3% for FE-NST. Conclusion: Contrary to expectations, ABFT did not perform better than FE-NST. The 2 treatments produced substantial decreases in suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms that were comparable to or better than those reported in other more intensive, multicomponent treatments. The equivalent outcomes could be attributed to common treatment elements, different active mechanisms, or regression to the mean. Future studies will explore long-term follow up, secondary outcomes, and potential moderators and mediators. Clinical trial registration information: Attachment-Based Family Therapy for Suicidal Adolescents; http://clinicaltrials.gov; NCT01537419.
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    The relationship between disordered eating and sexuality amongst adolescents and young adults
    Shearer, Annie; Russon, Jody M.; Herres, Joanna; Atte, Tita; Kodish, Tamar; Diamond, Guy S. (Elsevier, 2015-12)
    Research shows that gay and bisexual males are at increased risk for disordered eating symptoms (DES); however, studies examining DES amongst lesbians and bisexual women have produced mixed findings. Furthermore, few studies have included questioning or “unsure” individuals. This study examined DES symptoms in adolescents and young adults across self-reported sexual attraction and behavior. Participants were recruited from ten primary care sites in Pennsylvania and administered the Behavioral Health Screen (BHS) – a web-based screening tool that assesses psychiatric symptoms and risk behaviors – during a routine visit. As expected, males who were attracted to other males exhibited significantly higher disordered eating scores than those only attracted to members of the opposite sex. Males who engaged in sexual activities with other males also exhibited significantly higher scores than those who only engaged in sexual activities with females. Amongst females, there were no significant differences in DES scores between females who were only attracted to females and those only attracted to males. Those who reported being attracted to both sexes, however, had significantly higher scores, on average, than those only attracted to one sex. More surprisingly, females who were unsure of who they were attracted to reported the highest DES scores of all. These findings are contrary to previous assumptions that same-sex attraction plays a protective role against eating pathology in females. Females who are unsure or attracted to both sexes may actually be at increased risk for developing DES.
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    Religion, Sexual Orientation, and Suicide Attempts Among a Sample of Suicidal Adolescents
    Shearer, Annie; Russon, Jody M.; Herres, Joanna; Wong, Amanda; Jacobs, Carrie; Diamond, Gary M.; Diamond, Guy S. (Wiley, 2018-08)
    Despite condemnation of same-sex attraction by certain religious groups, few studies have explored the relationship between religion, same-sex attraction, and suicidality. This study examined the moderating effect of same-sex attraction on the relationship between parent/adolescent religiosity and suicide ideation/attempts in a suicidal adolescent sample (N = 129). Linear and negative binomial regressions tested the effects of a two-way dichotomous (same-sex attraction, yes/ no) by continuous (religiosity) interaction on ideation and attempts, respectively. The interaction was not significant for ideation. However, high religiosity was associated with more attempts in youth reporting same-sex attraction but fewer attempts in those reporting opposite-sex attraction only.
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    Religious Disaffiliation and Family Relationships: A Grounded Theory Study of LGBTQ+ Women's Experiences
    Gary, Emily Ann (Virginia Tech, 2020-06-17)
    For those who were raised in a religious household, leaving one's religion of origin (religious disaffiliation) can be a significant life event that impacts a person for years to come. Similarly, coming out and living authentically as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or another sexual or gender minority (LGBTQ+) is another event that, although ongoing, shapes the course of one's life significantly. In this grounded theory study, the researcher examines LGBTQ+ women's experiences of religious disaffiliation to create an understanding of what the disaffiliation process is like for LGBTQ+ women, and what happens to family relationships during and after disaffiliation. Several themes emerged, including similarities in why they disaffiliated, how they disaffiliated, and what happened to significant relationships during and after disaffiliation.