Search Results (43)

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, or Queer (LGBTQ) students with disabilities face unique challenges in the educational environment, and educators must provide support based on intersectionality. However, research on LGBTQ students in special needs education is limited, and the extent of educators’ awareness and support is not well documented. Therefore, this study explored the awareness, knowledge, and support practices of special needs school educators regarding LGBTQ students. We conducted a nationwide survey of educators in special needs schools in Japan, and 2024 valid responses were analyzed using multiple correspondence and cluster analyses. The results revealed that many educators lacked an understanding of basic LGBTQ terminology and may have been unaware of their discriminatory behaviors. Additionally, most educators had never encountered LGBTQ students with disabilities, potentially hindering these students’ opportunities to seek support. Furthermore, educators who had received LGBTQ training reported higher awareness and being more proactive in supporting LGBTQ students than those who had not. Thus, training may be associated with support-related attitudes. This highlights the need for ongoing training programs that address LGBTQ identity and disability, considering their intersectionality. These preliminary findings suggest the potential for creating an inclusive environment for LGBTQ students with disabilities; nevertheless, structural barriers remain. Full article

Though previous studies have demonstrated the protective benefits of sports participation against illicit drug use for a general population, how these findings apply to LGBTQ youth remains unknown. This study specifically looks at the relationship between sports participation and prescription drug misuse among sexual and gender minority youth. Using secondary data from the 2019 YRBS, we analyze associations among sports participation, sexual orientation, gender identity, and prescription drug misuse among a representative sample of U.S. high school students in Florida. Our results show that sexual and gender minority youth are at increased risk for prescription drug misuse compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers. Moreover, sports participation is associated with higher rates of prescription drug misuse among all students, and the nuances of these trends are discussed with particular attention paid to sexual and gender minority youth. These results challenge conventional wisdom about sports participation. Without the addition of new demographic survey questions and LGBTQ youth participation in the YRBS, common myths about sports might have persisted. Our findings point to the meaningful presence of LGBTQ youth in sports, call for research and programming on LGBTQ athletes’ unique needs regarding substance misuse risk, and encourage LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices within schools and sports programs in particular. Full article

This article presents a structured review of literature published between 2015 and 2025 on the experiences of rural LGBTQIA+ youth. Using targeted search terms—including “LGBT*,” “rural,” “country,” “young people,” “sexual and gender minority (SGM),” “small town,” “youth,” and “students”—a research team identified 26 peer-reviewed articles that met inclusion criteria. Through team-based thematic analysis, six core themes emerged: (1) gaps in intersectional analysis, (2) mental health outcomes, (3) culturally responsive services and resources, (4) community climate and context, (5) experiences of victimization, and (6) policy. Across these themes, the review highlights the resilience, agency, and strength of LGBTQIA+ youth navigating rural environments. The literature consistently demonstrates how experiences of victimization are closely linked to mental health outcomes, while access to social support—particularly from affirming adults in systems (such as schools)—can mitigate harm and foster well-being. Implications for social work research, practice, and policy are discussed, with an emphasis on supporting LGBTQIA+ youth in U.S. Southern rural settings. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted higher education worldwide, imposing strict isolation measures, transitioning learning online, and exacerbating existing social and economic inequalities. This literature review examines the pandemic’s impact on the mental health of college students, with a focus on those belonging to minority groups, including racial, ethnic, migrant, gender, sexuality-based, and low-income populations. While elevated levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness were observed across all students, findings indicate that LGBTQ+ and low-income students faced the highest levels of psychological distress, due to compounded stressors such as family rejection, unsafe home environments, and financial insecurity. Racial and ethnic minority students reported increased experiences of discrimination and reduced access to culturally competent mental healthcare. International and migrant students were disproportionately affected by travel restrictions, legal uncertainties, and social disconnection. These disparities underscore the need for higher education institutions to implement targeted, inclusive mental health policies that account for the unique needs of at-risk student populations during health crises. Full article

University students from diverse sexual orientations encounter specific mental health challenges due to academic demands, minority stress, and societal stigma; however, research focusing on these issues is still scarce in Southeast Asia. This research aimed to examine the mental health outcomes of heterosexual and sexuality-diverse students in Thailand, concentrating on both negative aspects—such as depression, anxiety, and perceived stress—and positive aspects—like resilience, inner strength, and perceived social support. A cross-sectional survey was performed with 442 university students aged between 20 and 30, employing validated self-report instruments. Statistical methods, including t-tests and multiple regression analyses, were used to evaluate differences and relationships between sexual orientation and mental health outcomes while controlling for confounding variables. The findings revealed that sexuality-diverse students showed notably higher levels of depression (B = 0.115, p < 0.05) and lower perceived social support (B = −0.10, p < 0.05) when compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Nevertheless, there were no significant differences found in anxiety, perceived stress, resilience, or inner strength. Perceived social support proved to be a crucial protective factor, with greater levels linked to reduced depression, anxiety, and perceived stress (p < 0.01). These results underscore the necessity for inclusive university policies, specific mental health interventions, and peer and family support initiatives to enhance the well-being of sexuality-diverse students in Thailand. Full article

Mental health among higher education students is a growing public health concern in Chile, where 58 universities host a diverse student population facing significant academic and emotional challenges. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of suicidal risk, ideation, and attempts, as well as associated risk factors in Chilean university students. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1511 participants (72.3% women, 27.7% men; mean age = 25.7 ± 7.82 years), using a digital self-administered questionnaire that included the Okasha’s Suicidality Scale (OSS), Depression, the Anxiety, and Stress Scale—21 items (DASS-21), the Emotional Exhaustion Scale (ECE), and sociodemographic variables. Logistic regression identified key factors associated with suicide attempts, such as being female (OR = 1.418, 95% CI [1.037, 1.939]), belonging to sexual minorities (OR = 2.539, 95% CI [1.899, 3.396]), being aged 26–30 (OR = 1.952, 95% CI [1.344, 2.836]), and being in the third year of university (OR = 1.483, 95% CI [1.097, 2.005]). Depression (OR = 7.065, 95% CI [5.307, 9.407]) and anxiety (OR = 1.895, 95% CI [1.400, 2.565]) were the strongest predictors, while substance use, including marijuana (OR = 2.107, 95% CI [1.620, 2.740]), cocaine (OR = 1.575, 95% CI [1.193, 2.078]), and non-prescribed antidepressants (OR = 6.383, 95% CI [1.524, 26.733]), significantly increased risk. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted mental health interventions and policy actions in Chilean higher education to address post-pandemic increases in suicide-related behaviors. Full article

This study contributes to the understanding and promotion of mental health among sexual minority college students by examining a comprehensive range of mental health outcomes, including psychological distress and indicators of well-being. Using survey data from 521 students at a US state university, we applied the minority stress model and the minority resilience model, while also considering the minority mental health paradox, to compare mental health outcomes between sexual minority and heterosexual students. Our findings indicate that sexual minority students report higher levels of depression, anxiety, and self-harming behaviors compared to their heterosexual peers. Additionally, they score lower on measures of positive mental health and well-being, including inner peace, environmental mastery, happiness, life satisfaction, life purpose, self-perceived health, and fulfilling relationships. We further found that sexual minority students exhibit lower resilience, largely due to insecurities related to safety, food, and housing. These findings underscore the need for targeted programs and services to support the well-being of sexual minority students and foster healthier college environments. Full article

This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the online delivery of a spiritual–mind–body (SMB) wellness intervention previously delivered and validated in person, Awakened Awareness for Adolescents (AA-A), designed for spiritual individuation among emerging-adult undergraduates. Undergraduates aged 18–25 (N = 39) participated in an open trial study. Enrollment, retention, and engagement rates were calculated to assess the feasibility of delivering AA-A online. Thematic analysis on qualitative feedback was conducted to assess acceptability. Clinical and spiritual well-being were assessed before and after AA-A delivery using self-report measures and pre-to-post-intervention changes examined. Results were compared to previous findings from AA-A delivered in person. Interactions between sexual and gender minority (SGM) status and AA-A delivery method on spiritual well-being change scores were explored. Significant improvements were seen in anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptoms and spiritual well-being. Affordances and constraints of the online format were identified across three themes. SGM students showed significantly greater improvements than non-SGM students in depression and anxiety symptoms and spiritual well-being. AA-A is feasible and acceptable in an online format and can support students’ spiritual individuation and mental health in a way that is comparable to its in-person format. Furthermore, the online format may be particularly beneficial for SGM students to actively participate and engage. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the living arrangements of many college students in the United States, potentially impacting their academic development, which plays a critical role in their mental health. At the start of the pandemic, university closures led to an abrupt transition from face-to-face instruction to online instruction, which may have caused significant challenges for college students, particularly lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and others who identify as having a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity (LGBTQ+). To identify academic challenges and associated protective factors, we examined LGBTQ+ college students’ social support from family and friends, the parent–child relationship quality, and their associations with academic challenges during the first months of the pandemic. The results of online surveys indicated that LGBTQ+ college students (N = 408; Mean Age = 20.4 yrs) who reported less family support and worse relationship quality with their parents perceived that academics had become relatively harder than before the pandemic. In contrast, friend support was unrelated to perceived academic challenges. These findings underscore the potentially protective role of supportive and high-quality relationships with family. The findings also provide insight into how universities could support students’ academic success during other temporary academic breaks and sudden, unplanned disruptions, such as hurricanes or other weather-related events, which is essential in promoting LGBTQ+ college students’ mental health and academic success. Full article

Attitudes toward sexual and gender minority people is a generative field of study leading to theoretical and practical advances. Adding to this body of literature, we sought to investigate relationships between attitudes toward different sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) minority groups. University student participants (N = 495) were asked to rate 11 targets using a 101-point feeling thermometer scale. The targets included trans, bisexual, asexual, and polyamorous men and women, along with lesbians, gay men, and gender non-conforming persons. Heterosexual men and women targets were included for comparison. Analyses addressed two main question areas: (1) Were the various SOGI minority targets rated similarly/differently? (2) Do ratings of the targets differ as a function of target and participant demographic characteristics? Generally, SOGI ratings were favourable (78–85%) except for polyamorous targets (66%). While there were some statistically significant rating differences between some SOGI targets (e.g., lesbians were rated more favourably than asexual women; 85% versus 83%, respectively), data reduction analyses (i.e., Principal Components Analysis) with the 11 SOGI target ratings supported the possibility of aggregating attitudes into a single SOGI target group variable. The second research goal involved exploring whether ratings differed as a function of participant characteristics, including sexual orientation, gender, and religiosity. The analysis revealed that attitudes significantly differed based on all three participant factors. In general, those who rated the targets most favourably were those who were queer, women, or not-at-all religious. However, the SOGI target gender did not result in differences in target ratings (e.g., asexual women and asexual men were equal). The findings further the literature on attitudes toward various SOGI minorities, providing support for the theory that there is a latent factor underlying perceiver attitudes toward SOGI minorities and indicating a need to consider demographic characteristics of social perceivers. Full article

An online survey was completed by a convenience sample of 495 students to assess attitude toward polyamorous targets as an outgroup using 0–100 feeling thermometers. Also assessed was the likelihood of dating a polyamorous partner. These two measures were only weakly related for women participants but modestly related for men participants. Overall, feeling thermometer averages were favorable (66%) but dating likelihood was very low, with 89% rating dating a polyamorous partner as unlikely. Women were slightly more favorable toward polyamorous targets than were men but target gender showed no effect (i.e., ratings of polyamorous men were the same as those of polyamorous women). However, men were slightly more willing to date a polyamorous partner than were women. In terms of personality and individual difference variables as predictors of attitudes, authoritarianism, erotophobia–erotophilia, and participant sexual orientation accounted for a quarter of the variance in feeling thermometer ratings of polyamorous targets. Specifically, those who had lower authoritarianism, were more comfortable with sexuality, and were sexual minority in orientation were likely to rate the polyamorous targets the most favorably. Individual difference variables did not predict willingness to date a polyamorous partner consistently across gender and sexual orientation participant subgroups; the most consistent predictors were sociosexuality and erotophobia–erotophilia. This study adds to our knowledge in a nascent area of sexual attitude and discrimination research—it demonstrates the differences between rating an outgroup person and attitude toward engaging with them personally. The latter appears to involve more complexity in terms of the relationship with personality and the type of social perceiver. More research is needed into the differentiation between general ratings of others who engage in non-mainstream, stigmatized sexual practices versus when the ratings involve personal involvement or behavior of the social perceiver (i.e., such as dating). Full article

The Teens Linked to Care (TLC) pilot program utilized a youth-led integrated strategy to prevent substance use and risky sexual behavior among school-attending youth at disproportionate risk, including sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY). The program developed a framework to address human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), teen pregnancy, and high-risk substance use within schools. Strategies included education, primary prevention, and early detection screening. High schools in two rural counties served as pilot sites and successfully implemented strategies to encourage youth to engage in healthier sexual practices and avoid harmful substance use. An evaluation of TLC demonstrated its effectiveness in developing youth-friendly resources, promoting connectedness, and building resiliency among students and staff. This program used the results of two iterations of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) to understand the situations of youth, including SGMY. YRBS results helped tailor program activities for SGMY populations. By focusing on education, access to care, and supportive environments, schools can utilize the TLC model to combat youth substance abuse and risky sexual practices. Full article

The appearance of new ways of committing sexual violence via technological media and virtual spaces has produced countless situations where sexual abuse of minors may occur. This is the digital scenario surrounding the phenomenon of grooming. The present study focuses on analyzing grooming experienced by Spanish university students during childhood. The sample comprised 3293 students in higher education, 68.3% of whom were female, 30.5% were male, and 1.2% identified as non-binary. The mean age was 18.83 years (SD = 2.28). The results confirmed that sexual abuse of minors has moved towards virtual environments, indicating a prevalence of 12.2% for grooming, which was more likely to have affected women and non-binary people. In addition, student victims of grooming were more often also victims of sextortion. Consumption of pornography was also shown to be particularly important, with the results indicating that students who consumed it and started consuming it before they were 16 years old were more often victims of grooming. These findings should encourage the educational community to develop preventive actions that match the reality of online child sexual abuse. In summary, the only path towards preventing and detecting grooming is to invest in high-quality digital education and sex education from a gender perspective. Full article

Sexual minority young adults (SMYAs), compared to heterosexual young adults (HYAs), are a uniquely high-risk population for problematic substance use, a disparity perhaps exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study tested whether SMYAs had more problematic substance use than HYAs during the pandemic due to isolation and loneliness as well as lower family closeness. Participants (N = 141) aged 23–29 completed self-report surveys in 2014–2015 as college students and in the summer of 2021 as young adults (59% White, 26% Black/African American, 9% Asian/Middle Eastern, 6% Hispanic/Latino, and <1% American Indian/Alaska Native). Results of multivariate regression and multiple group path analyses did not support hypothesized effects—SMYAs did not have greater increases in problematic substance use compared to HYAs, isolation and loneliness were not significant mediators, and family closeness was not a significant moderator. However, SMYAs experienced a lack of social safety—increased loneliness and decreased family closeness—compared to HYAs. Further research is needed to investigate both the impact and underlying processes of this decreased social safety on SMYA well-being beyond the pandemic to better inform tailored supports and interventions. Full article

A negative school climate resulting from homophobic and transphobic bias and discrimination is associated with poor well-being and mental health among LGBTQ+ youth. However, protective factors and mechanisms may buffer against the impact of stigmatization. Drawing on the socio-ecological model, minority stress theory, and positive youth development and agency perspectives, we carried out a systematic review of research focusing on factors that can promote the well-being of LGBTQ+ students in educational settings, outlining the primary outcomes from studies published between 2012 and 2022. The PRISMA protocol was used for this review, and 64 articles were scrutinized. The results of the thematic analysis revealed that both external factors (school-inclusive policies and extracurricular activities; social support from school, family, and the community; and school connectedness) and internal factors (psychosocial characteristics and personal agency) promote positive school experiences, such as the exploration of sexual and gender identities in a safe environment. The present findings highlight the need for inclusive school policies and strategies and individual-level interventions that target the well-being and positive mental health outcomes of sexual and gender minority students. Full article