Document Type

Honors Thesis

Major

Psychology, Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Advisor(s)

Patricia Goodhines

Committee Members

Jordan LaBouff, Kara Peruccio, Leah Cingranelli

Graduation Year

May, 2025

Publication Date

2025

Abstract

Introduction: LGBTQ+ college students experience novel behavioral health risk relative to cisgender-heterosexual (cishet) peers, attributable to minority stress experiences. Campus community belonging may be a protective factor, but research is limited. This study of LGBTQ+ and cishet college students (a) characterized group differences in perceived community and diverse behavioral health risks, and (b) explored whether associations of LGBTQ+ identity with behavioral health risks differed by campus community belonging.

Methods: Cross-sectional online survey data was drawn from 135 undergraduate students (Mage=19.05±1.14 years, range=18-25; 44% LGBTQ+, 56% cishet; 92% White; 39% male sex assigned at birth) at the University of Maine. The survey assessed participant characteristics, campus and LGBTQ+ community belongingness, and behavioral health (depression/anxiety and insomnia symptoms, cannabis/alcohol use, sexual health).

Results: LGBTQ+ and cishet participants did not differ significantly in campus community belongingness (p>.05); however, LGBTQ+ participants reported greater connectedness to the LGBTQ+ community than to the campus community (t[58]=-5.41, p< .001). LGBTQ+ people reported greater anxiety (t[133]=-4.33, p< .001), depression (t[133]=-4.05, p< .001), and insomnia symptoms t[133]=-3.17, p< .001) but not hazardous cannabis/alcohol use, , unprotected sex, or STI confirmation/disclosure compared to cis-het peers (ps>.05). Associations between LGBTQ+ identity and behavioral health were not moderated by campus community belongingness (ps>.05).

Conclusion: Results show that LGBTQ+ college students experience significantly higher anxiety and depression symptoms than their cishet peers. While campus community belonging did not protect against LGBTQ+ behavioral health risk, findings suggest LGBTQ+ students access unique social support within the LGBTQ+ community. Future research should explore how LGBTQ+ community protects against college behavioral health risks.

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