Annual Meeting Recordings are now available for purchase
306563
Do you see what I see? A photovoice assessment of LGBT student life at Weber State University
Monday, November 17, 2014
Camille Benedict
,
Department of Health Promotion and Human Performance, Weber State University, Ogden, UT
Kaitlyn Ott
,
Department of Health Promotion and Human Performance, Weber State University, Ogden, UT
Douglas Santurri, BS
,
Department of Health Promotion and Human Performance, Weber State University, Ogden, UT
Adrienne Andrews, MS, MA
,
Center for Diversity and Unity, Weber State University, Ogden, UT
Mark Biddle, MFA
,
Visual Arts, Weber State University, Ogden, UT
Background/Significance: College students in the United States (U.S.) face specific health disparities, including increased rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) college students face higher rates of these problems than students who do not identify as members of the LGBT community. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of LGBT students at a state university in the Rocky Mountain Region of the U.S. using a participatory qualitative methodology. Specifically, this study focused on LGBT students’ interactions with student peers, faculty, and staff. Methods: Study participants were led through a photovoice process by a multi-disciplinary team that included faculty and student representatives from health promotion, visual arts, sociology, and teacher education. Both visual (photographs) and narrative data were collected through participant photography and a series of meetings with study participants. An inductive, conventional content analysis approach to coding and thematic development was used to analyze both types of qualitative data. Results: LGBT students reported a variety of supportive factors on campus, including a newly designated LGBT Resource Center. Students also reported a number of challenges, including both explicit and implicit discrimination from faculty and staff and issues of stigma and social isolation from non-LGBT student peers. Discussion/Conclusions: This participatory qualitative methodology resulted in rich, in-depth data on the perceptions and needs of LGBT students at this particular academic institution. In addition, the resulting photo exhibit and associated events served to raise awareness of this population on campus.
Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Diversity and culture
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Describe the use of a participatory qualitative methodology to collect needs assessment data.
Describe LGBT students’ perceptions and experiences of a particular academic environment.
Describe opportunities for program and resource intervention to support student members of the LGBT community.
Keyword(s): College Students, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT)
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I received my PhD in Health Education and Promotion in August 2012 but have been a professional in the higher education/academic/research setting for the past eight years. I have served as the primary investigator, co-investigator, or program coordinator on a variety of studies (most of which were federally funded). In addition, my most recent publication was on the topic of mental health disparities in lesbians and bisexual women.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
