Dimensions of Support Networks of Sexual- and Gender-Minority STEM Undergraduates: An Exploratory Study

• In Event: Women, Underrepresented Minority, and LGBTQPIA+ Students' STEM Experiences and Success: Undergraduate Climate and Social Capital

Abstract

1. Objectives or purposes
The study mapped the support networks of SGM STEM undergraduates by examining the number of influential others (i.e. ‘alters’) providing support, the density of connections among those alters (i.e. whether the alters know each other), variation in the types of support alters provide, and how these factors relate to sociodemographic attributes of respondents (‘egos’) and their alters.

2. Perspective(s) or theoretical framework
Social network theory emphasizes the connection between an individual’s social ties to others and that individual’s mental and physical wellbeing as well as their success in major life endeavors. SGM students face unique challenges as STEM majors, given the typically cis heteronormative culture of STEM. The structure of ties to others are likely to be consequential for success in such fields when a person does not easily fit into cis heteronormative stereotypes.

3. Methods, techniques, or modes of inquiry
We used basic descriptive statistics to characterize central tendencies and variation in the social networks of respondents along several dimensions: size of support network, density of ties among alters providing support, amount and type of support provided by alters. We also examined how these properties are related to the gender identity, sexual orientation, and racial/ethnic group membership of respondents and, used correspondence analysis to determine how the types of support provided by an alter are related to the ways in which the alter is known to the respondent.

4. Data sources, evidence, objects, or materials
Survey data are from SGM STEM undergraduates (n=477) recruited through national professional associations, such as, American Chemical Society; Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics; OUT for Undergrad; and the Society for Women Engineers.

5. Results and/or substantiated conclusions or warrants for arguments/point of view
The mean support network size is 2.95 and the median is 3. The mean density of the support network is 0.50 and the mean is also 0.50. Comparisons of mean network size and mean network density over gender identity (Woman, Non-binary & Trans, Man, Multiple Gender Identities, Other GI), over sexual orientation (Bisexual, Lesbian, Asexual, Queer/Pan, Gay, Multiple Sexual Identities, Other SI) and over racial/ethnic groups show no significant difference among the groups. Comparisons over more aggregated categories of racial/ethnic groups (Black, non-Black) show that Black respondents have significantly smaller networks than non-Black respondents, but the groups do not differ in terms of network density. The distribution of types of support has a mean of 5.62 types of support, a median of 6, and a maximum of 15. Alters are more supportive in dense ego networks. Finally, alters who share a race/ethnicity group membership with ego are more supportive of ego.

6. Scientific or scholarly significance of the study or work
The findings reveal how examining the social support environment experienced by SGM STEM undergraduates may assist efforts to understand how variations in such environment might impact the wellbeing of these individuals and their success in STEM.

Authors

• John Skvoretz, University of South Florida - Tampa

• Chrystal A. S. Smith, University of Connecticut - Storrs

• Michelle Hughes Miller, University of South Florida - Tampa

• Maralee Mayberry, University of South Florida

• Rebecca A. Campbell-Montalvo, University of Connecticut - Storrs

• Hesborn Otieno Wao, University of South Florida