Levels of Feeling Safe and Being Bullied for LGB Student Athletes

• In Event: Sunday Roundtable Session 7:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Balancing Act: Exploring the Interplay Between Sports, Academics, and Educators (Table 37)

Abstract

LGB students face many adversities and participating in sports may help mitigate these adversities. In a replication and expansion of a previous study, LGB students were measured for their levels of feeling safe and being bullied while participating in sports activities, compared to their heterosexual peers. Analysis shows that overall participating in sports leads to lower levels of being bullied and higher levels of feeling safe, however this effect is somewhat diminished due to the fact that LGB students overall have worse outcomes in these measures. Additionally, analysis on developmental skills, supports, and GPA showed that higher levels of feeling safe and lower levels of being bullied is associated with higher levels of developmental skills and supports.

Authors

• Rik Lamm, Bloomington Public Schools

• Samuel D. Ihlenfeldt, University of Minnesota

• Michael C. Rodriguez, University of Minnesota