Presentation Type

Poster

Presentation Type

Submission

Keywords

SGM, Religiosity, Mental Health, Religious University, University Students

Department

Psychology

Major

Psychology

Abstract

University students are reporting increasing levels of psychological distress and suicidality. Consistent with the Minority Stress Model, Sexual and Gender Minorities (SGMs) are especially vulnerable; this is often heightened at religious universities that are non-affirming of SGM identities . We studied mental health and religiosity among 219 undergraduates at a religiously diverse, yet non-affirming university. SGMs (n = 68) reported higher rates of suicidality (U = 3267.5, p < .001, rho = .28) and psychological distress (t = 4.16, df = 221, p < .001, d = 0.60) than nonSGMs. This suggests that SGMs are at a higher risk of negative mental health outcomes. Intrinsic religiosity acted as a protective factor for suicidality for SGM and nonSGM students. Religious attendance correlated with higher rates of internalized homonegativity (rho = .35, p = .006) and identity superiority (rho = -.36, p = .005) for SGMs. These findings highlight the complicated relationship between SGM identity and religiosity. This study underscores the importance of offering affirming religious spaces for SGM individuals and providing increased psychological support for SGM students at religious universities.

Faculty Mentor

Steve Rouse

Location

Waves Cafeteria

Start Date

24-3-2023 2:00 PM

End Date

24-3-2023 4:00 PM

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Mar 24th, 2:00 PM Mar 24th, 4:00 PM

Mental Health and Religiosity Among Sexual and Gender Minority Students at a Religious University

Waves Cafeteria

University students are reporting increasing levels of psychological distress and suicidality. Consistent with the Minority Stress Model, Sexual and Gender Minorities (SGMs) are especially vulnerable; this is often heightened at religious universities that are non-affirming of SGM identities . We studied mental health and religiosity among 219 undergraduates at a religiously diverse, yet non-affirming university. SGMs (n = 68) reported higher rates of suicidality (U = 3267.5, p < .001, rho = .28) and psychological distress (t = 4.16, df = 221, p < .001, d = 0.60) than nonSGMs. This suggests that SGMs are at a higher risk of negative mental health outcomes. Intrinsic religiosity acted as a protective factor for suicidality for SGM and nonSGM students. Religious attendance correlated with higher rates of internalized homonegativity (rho = .35, p = .006) and identity superiority (rho = -.36, p = .005) for SGMs. These findings highlight the complicated relationship between SGM identity and religiosity. This study underscores the importance of offering affirming religious spaces for SGM individuals and providing increased psychological support for SGM students at religious universities.