Abstract
Lesbians, Gays, and Bisexual (LGBs) university students are more likely to experience academic and mental health problems as a result of their everyday challenges with self-acceptance as a result of discrimination and denial of their civil and human rights. The study explored the circumstances influencing the mental health amongst LGBTQ learner nurses and coping behaviours at an institution of higher learning. A qualitative, explorative, and descriptive design was adopted, using, non-probability purposive snowballing sampling methods to involve undergraduate learner nurses self-identified as gays, lesbians, and bisexuals. Data was collected through one-to-one semi-structured interviews with ten participants (four gays, four lesbians, and two bisexual) undergraduate learner nurses. Data were analyzed using the eight steps of Tesch’s method of data analysis, and an independent coder confirms the findings. The study was conducted in one of the selected universities in the Limpopo province, South Africa. The study identified some of the issues that LGBTQ leaner nurses face on campus that have an impact on their mental health. These include a diminished sense of safety, overgeneralization of the situation, low self-esteem due to fear of being judged, and acting out behaviour due to obsessive jealousy. As a result, passive withdrawal behaviour, confrontation, active and passive dependant behaviour, was utilised as the coping behaviours. The learning institution should build strong connections with the LGBTQ students to demonstrate acceptance and keep the lines of communication open.
Presenters
Gsakani Olivia SumbaneSenior Lecturer, Nursing Science, University of Limpopo, Limpopo, South Africa
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Learner Diversity and Identities
KEYWORDS
Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual, Mental health, Coping Bevaviours
