The Impact of Belonging to Identity-based Student Organizations on Minority Stress in a Midwestern Predominantly White University

Authors

• Mallory Millet, Miami University, Department of PsychologyFollow
• Akanksha Das, Miami University, Department of PsychologyFollow
• Christian C. Garcia, University of Cincinnati, Graduate CollegeFollow
• Rose Marie Ward, University of CincinnatiFollow

Abstract

Minoritized students are exposed to additional unique stressors due to the systematic devaluation of their identities (i.e., minority stress). Additionally, minoritized students report higher levels of mental health concerns than their peers (e.g., anxiety, depression). Identity-based student organizations can be one avenue that universities could use to support these students. These organizations, designed to build social connections among students with shared experiences, may reduce minority stress through fostering students’ sense of belonging. However, the relationship between sense of belonging, minority stress, and identity-based student organizations has yet to be studied. The present study used quantitative and qualitative methods to understand 1) whether students with greater involvement in identity-based student organizations would report less experienced minority stress than those who have less or no involvement in identity-based student organizations, and 2) whether that association could be explained by a greater sense of belonging. Qualitative analysis was used to understand observed patterns of results. Findings revealed that higher involvement in identity-based student organizations was associated with a greater sense of belonging, but not with lower minority stress. Qualitative findings suggest benefits of membership in navigating minority stress and thwarted belonging in the university campus more broadly. Using themes from qualitative results, authors provide hypotheses for unexpected quantitative results, such as the potential motivation for joining identity-based student organizations and the influence of peers on experiences of minority stress.

First Page

154

Last Page

179

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Recommended Citation

Millet, M., Das, A., Garcia, C.C., & Ward, R. (2026). The impact of belonging to identity-based student organizations on minority stress in a midwestern predominantly white university. Journal of Higher Education & Student Affairs, 42(1), 154-179. https://doi.org/10.20429/jhesa.2026.420108