Paper Summary
Share...

Direct link:

LGB International Students and Socio-Emotional Well-Being: Impact of Intersectionality on Perceived Experiences and Campus Engagement

Fri, April 17, 12:00 to 1:30pm, Virtual Room

Abstract

International students are more likely to experience mental health issues and increased stress. Mental health is often surrounded by negative societal stigmas that act as barriers to seeking support and tend to lead to greater mental health concerns. International students are more likely to seek socio-emotional support from other international student peers rather than seeking out counseling services. However, this study shows that LGB international students were less likely to seek socio-emotional support from other international student peers due to fear of their sexual orientation being discovered and their families finding out about their identity. This study examines how LGB international students talk about their experiences on and off campus in relations to their socio-emotional well-being. Specifically, this study sought to better understand the complexities of LGB students’ identities and how they talked about the challenges they faced in terms of their socio-emotional well-being. Implications for policy and practice are discussed, as well as the need to enhance the collaboration of scholars and practitioners in serving this population.

Authors