A Review of the Religious Identity/Sexual Orientation Identity Conflict Literature: Revisiting Festinger's Cognitive Dissonance Theory

Abstract

Over the past 20 years, numerous research studies have been published indicating that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals, LGB couples, and family members of LGB individuals are experiencing religious identity/sexual orientation identity conflict. In addition, many of these same studies have included in the findings resolution strategies utilized by participants to negotiate this type of conflict. This article presents a review of the religious identity/sexual orientation identity conflict research and links it to cognitive dissonance theory. Subsequently, implications for counselors and future research are offered in light of this literature review.

KEYWORDS:

• cognitive dissonance
• conflict resolution strategies
• religion
• religious identity/sexual orientation identity conflict
• sexual orientation identity
• spirituality