Campus climate and sense of belonging explain the relationship between DEI initiatives and mental health of LGBTQ+ college students.
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| Title: | Campus climate and sense of belonging explain the relationship between DEI initiatives and mental health of LGBTQ+ college students. |
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| Authors: | McField, Ariel A. (AUTHOR), Rogers, Megan L. (AUTHOR), Wilson, Kylah J. (AUTHOR), Oberle, Crystal D. (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Journal of American College Health. May2026, Vol. 74 Issue 5, p1367-1373. 7p. |
| Subjects: | Competency assessment (Law), Climatology, Diversity & inclusion policies, Secondary analysis, Psychology of LGBTQ+ people, Universities & colleges, Questionnaires, Descriptive statistics, Structural equation modeling, Chi-squared test, Statistics, Psychology of college students, Data analysis software |
| Abstract: | Objective: This study examined how diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives shape school climate, belonging, and mental health among sexual minority (LGBTQ+) college students. Participants: 4,110 LGBTQ+ college students completed the "climate for diversity and inclusion" module of the Healthy Minds Survey. Methods: The study tested a model to determine whether the relationship between DEI initiatives and mental health problems was accounted for by perceived school climate and belonging. Results: Structural equation modeling showed that DEI initiatives did not directly affect mental health after controlling for school climate and belonging. However, there was a significant serial mediation pathway, whereby greater exposure to DEI initiatives was associated with a more positive school climate, which was related to stronger feelings of belonging, which was linked to fewer mental health problems. Conclusions: These results underscore the critical role of DEI efforts in fostering supportive environments, which impact the psychological well-being among LGBTQ+ students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Objective: This study examined how diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives shape school climate, belonging, and mental health among sexual minority (LGBTQ+) college students. Participants: 4,110 LGBTQ+ college students completed the "climate for diversity and inclusion" module of the Healthy Minds Survey. Methods: The study tested a model to determine whether the relationship between DEI initiatives and mental health problems was accounted for by perceived school climate and belonging. Results: Structural equation modeling showed that DEI initiatives did not directly affect mental health after controlling for school climate and belonging. However, there was a significant serial mediation pathway, whereby greater exposure to DEI initiatives was associated with a more positive school climate, which was related to stronger feelings of belonging, which was linked to fewer mental health problems. Conclusions: These results underscore the critical role of DEI efforts in fostering supportive environments, which impact the psychological well-being among LGBTQ+ students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 07448481 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/07448481.2025.2577648 |
