Major

Clinical Psychology

Faculty Mentor

Stacey Williams, East Tennessee State University

Abstract

Many researchers have utilized Meyer’s (2003) minority stress model to examine the social factors influencing the daily lives of LGBTQ+ individuals. Previous research has looked at negative mental health outcomes for LGBTQ+ individuals (McGraw et al., 2023), the presence of religious stress for this community (Page et al., 2013), and religious journeys of these individuals (Halkitis et al, 2009).  However, few studies have examined the intersection of religion, LGBTQ+ identity, social support, and the overarching values of Appalachian culture. The proposed study seeks to add to the literature and understand the breadth of these experiences by employing qualitative semi-structured interviews. A total of 15 participants were[GU1]  recruited through an existing repository, social media, local colleges, pride centers, and churches, and were invited to schedule a phone interview. An inductive coding approach and reflexive thematic analysis was used in the crafting initial codes and defining emergent themes. Participants communicated a wide array of experiences with the religious culture of Appalachia and how it has impacted their LGBTQ+ identity and their overall lived experiences. This research offers insight into how Appalachian culture, LGBTQ+ identity, and religion interact to influence the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals in the region.

Document Type

Culminating Research Project

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