Anti-atheist Discrimination, Outness, and Psychological Distress among Atheists of Color

Authors

Dena M. Abbott, Louisiana Tech UniversityFollow
Michael Ternes, Louisiana Tech UniversityFollow
Caitlin Mercier, Louisiana Tech UniversityFollow
Chris Monceaux, Louisiana Tech University

ORCID IDs

Dena M. Abbott

Michael Ternes

Caitlin Mercier

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2020

Citation

Mental Health, Religion & Culture 23:10 (2020), pp. 874–887.

doi: 10.1080/13674676.2020.1858771

Comments

Copyright © 2021 Informa UK Limited/Taylor & Francis Group. Used by permission.

Abstract

Using a Concealable Stigmatized Identity (CSI) framework, the present study explored disclosure and concealment of atheist identity, anti-atheist discrimination, and psychological distress among participants (N = 87) identified as both atheists and people of color residing in the United States (US). Path analysis was utilized to examine the relationships among variables. Consistent with past CSI and outness research, the final model suggested small, significant associations between higher disclosure of atheist identity and more experiences of anti-atheist discrimination as well as between higher concealment and higher psychological distress. Unexpectedly, higher concealment of atheist identity was associated with higher anti-atheist discrimination and, contrary to previous studies, higher disclosure was associated with higher psychological distress. Notably, there was no significant relationship between anti-atheist discrimination and psychological distress in the final model. Implications for future research, training, and practice are provided.