Minoritized students are exposed to additional unique stressors due to the systematic devaluation of their identities in the broader climate. Indeed, students holding minoritized identities (vs. those who do not) report higher levels of mental health concerns. Institutions of higher education often provide a range of resources to support students in their individual growth. One such resource is minority-based student organizations, wherein students holding similar minoritized identities can access communities of students who share similar experiences. Extent work suggests minority-based organizations may buffer against minority stress, specifically through increased sense of belonging. Additional research on self-reported and physiological benefits for minority stress can bolster support for this body of work. As such, the purpose of this study is to determine whether level of involvement in a minority-based organizations reduces the experience of minority stress (both self-reported and physiological), and whether that change can be explained by a higher sense of belonging. It is anticipated that minoritized students belonging to minority based organizations will report lower levels of mental concerns compared to minoritized students who do not belong to these organizations.
Author(s): Mallory Millet, Psychology Major
Advisor(s): Rose Marie Ward, Department of Psychology
Akanksha Das, Department of Psychology
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