Navigating intersecting identities: Dimensions of religiousness/spirituality and sexual orientation predicting sexual distress among emerging adults

Emerging adulthood is a developmental period characterized by the exploration, shaping, and negotiation of many aspects of identity, including religiousness and spirituality, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Such aspects of one’s identity have implications for psychological and sexual well-being. Previous research has indicated that religiousness/spirituality, sexual orientation, and gender identity may have implications for sexual well-being and sexual distress. However, the intersectional relationships between these aspects of identity and sexual distress among emerging adults have yet to be investigated. Accordingly, the current study examined the role of religiousness/spirituality, sexual orientation, and gender identity in predicting sexual distress in emerging adults. A sample of 266 adults aged 18–30 years old completed an online survey assessing sexual distress, various dimensions of religiousness/spirituality, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Multiple hierarchical regression analysis indicated that minority sexual orientation and four dimensions of religiousness/spirituality (daily spiritual experiences, forgiveness, religious and spiritual coping, and religious support) significantly predicted greater sexual distress. These results indicate that sexual distress is minimally influenced by sexual orientation, thus suggesting that specific aspects of religiousness/spirituality may be important for buffering against sexual distress among emerging adults.