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
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.