Intersectional identity, sense of LGBTQ+ community, substance use, and mental health outcomes among college students
Date
2020
Authors
Tuthill, Shelby Diane, author
Prince, Mark, advisor
Crain, Tori, committee member
Davalos, Deana, committee member
Faw, Meara, committee member
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Abstract
Prior research has shown disparities in mental health outcomes and substance use between LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and more) and non-LGBTQ+ people. Factors such as social support and LGBTQ+-specific social support have been shown to mitigate such disparities. A similar construct, sense of LGBTQ+ community has been less widely studied. In this study, LGBTQ+ (n = 154) and non-LGBTQ+ (n = 1232) undergraduate students at a large university participated in a survey. In a propensity score matched sample of LGBTQ+ students and demographically similar non-LGBTQ+ students showed no disparities in overall mood concerns, depression, anxiety, and stress; they also showed no disparities in alcohol use, cannabis use, and alcohol and cannabis co-use. Among LGBTQ+ students, sense of LGBTQ+ community was not significantly associated with mood outcomes or substance use. However, some notable disparities emerged when students were compared across racial, ethnic, gender, and sexual orientation identities simultaneously. These findings underscore the importance of an intersectional approach to research and subsequent recommendations for intervention.
Description
Zip file contains readme document, supplementary tables via html.
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Subject
intersectionality
mental health
college
substance use
LGBTQ+