First Advisor

Johnson, Brian D.

First Committee Member

Athanasiou, Michelle

Second Committee Member

Kahlo, Danielle

Third Committee Member

Paek, Sue Hyeon

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Document Type

Dissertation

Date Created

12-2025

Department

College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, Applied Psychology and Counselor Education, APCE Student Work

Abstract

Suicidality among sexual minorities is concerning and results from increased social stress, societal stigma, and experiences of discrimination. The effects of sexual minority stress (SMS) lead to negative outcomes for sexual minority college students. The purpose of the current study was to better understand the role of suicide resilience in moderating the adverse effects of SMS among sexual minority college students. The following research questions and hypotheses guided this study: Q1 Does SMS have any effect on subjective well-being among college-student sexual minority individuals (SMIs)? Q2 Does SMS have any effect on suicide resilience among college student SMIs? Q3 To what extent does SMS and demographic variables predict suicide resilience and subjective well-being among college-student SMIs? H1 Higher levels of SMS will be negatively associated with subjective well-being among college students SMIs (Pachankis, 2007). H2 Higher levels of SMS will be negatively associated with suicide resilience among college student SMIs (Hatzenbuehler, 2009). H3 Higher levels of suicide resilience will buffer negative impact of SMS on SMIs (Mohr & Kendra, 2011). H4 Sexual minority stress and certain demographic variables will significantly predict the relationship between suicide resilience and subjective well-being above and beyond what SMS predicts (Coulter et al., 2019; Feinstein et al., 2017; McDermott et al., 2019). Suicide resilience was hypothesized to account for a significant among of variance in the outcome of subjective well-being. The study consisted of 254 participants (ages 18-50) SMIs who completed an online survey. Simple linear and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted and the results indicated a significant moderating effect on the relationship between sexual minority stress and subjective well-being. Results indicated that for the relationship between SMS and subjective well-being to be significant, suicide resilience was needed in the model. Suicide resilience in sexual minority college students was found to protect against the negative impact of sexual minority stress. Implications and future research directions were discussed.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Extent

174 pages

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by the author.

Digital Origin

Born digital

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