The research question that will be addressed is "What psychological strategies do LGBT students employ to cope with discrimination in academic environments, and how effective are they?"
LGBT students face discrimination in various forms, including verbal harassment, physical violence, exclusion from social activities, and failure to meet academic expectations. They employ different coping mechanisms, such as seeking support from peers, engaging in self-care activities, reframing negative thoughts, challenging stereotypes, advocating for themselves, and using humor.
The effectiveness of these strategies varies depending on their specific context and individual differences among LGBT individuals.
Literature Review
A review of existing literature shows that LGBT students encounter unique stressors in academia due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. These stressors include feeling isolated because of their sexuality or gender, experiencing microaggressions, and receiving less support from family members or friends compared to heterosexual peers. Studies suggest that LGBT students often feel unsafe in school and may avoid certain classes or activities to protect themselves from discrimination. Coping strategies can mitigate these effects by helping them build resilience and develop positive attitudes towards academic life.
Methodology
This study will use a mixed methods approach to examine the relationship between coping strategies and LGBT students' experiences of discrimination in higher education. Participants will complete a survey assessing their demographic characteristics, experiences of discrimination, and use of coping strategies, followed by semi-structured interviews to explore their views on effective coping techniques. The data will be analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively to identify patterns and commonalities in the responses.
Results and Discussion
The results will reveal whether there are any significant associations between different types of coping strategies (e.g., seeking social support, engaging in self-care, reframing negative thoughts) and outcomes such as perceived stress levels, psychological wellbeing, and academic performance. We expect that some strategies may be more effective than others in specific contexts, while individual differences may also play a role. Qualitative analysis will provide insights into how participants view and utilize each strategy.
We will discuss implications for policy and practice in supporting LGBT students' mental health and success in college.
This research provides valuable information about the effectiveness of various coping mechanisms for LGBT students experiencing discrimination in academia. By understanding which strategies work best under what circumstances, educators can tailor their support to improve student retention and outcomes.
It highlights the importance of creating an inclusive campus culture where all students feel safe and valued regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
What psychological strategies do LGBT students employ to cope with discrimination in academic environments, and how effective are they?
To begin with, it is important to note that being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT), or any other variant of sexual orientation can be a highly personal and sensitive topic for an individual. As such, they may experience discrimination based on their identity in various contexts, including academia.