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The relationship between anxiety and sense of belonging among gender and sexual minorities in College
Location: East Ballroom
Mentor: Dr. Simon Howard
Previous research has demonstrated a relationship between gender, sexual orientation, anxiety, and sense of belonging, with gender-diverse and sexual minority populations often reporting poorer mental health and increased feelings of isolation. Gender and sexual minorities (i.e., LGBTQIA+ individuals) are more likely to experience anxiety symptoms and a diminished sense of isolation. However, there has been few studies that have examined the relationship between nonbinary or androgynous gender identities on mental well-being in college students. In the present study we recruited sexual minority college students (N = 47, M = 20.81, SD = 3.72), to measure their gender development and identification, levels of state and trait anxiety, and sense of belonging in a college setting. Results indicated that stronger identification as nonbinary or gender-diverse was associated with higher levels of state anxiety, though no significant relationship was found with trait anxiety. Additionally, nonbinary identity showed a negative relationship on sense of belonging; however, this effect was only marginally significant. Implications, limitations, and direction for future research are discussed.
Keywords: Nonbinary, gender identity, anxiety, belongingness, college
