An exploration of the psychological benefits of participation in LGBTQ sport

Participation in sport has well-established physical and psychological health benefits for athletes. Despite widespread research relating to the benefits of sport participation for heterosexual athletes, the potential physical and psychological benefits for LGBTQ athletes who participate in LGBTQ-specific sports are not well documented. Preliminary research indicates that sporting spaces are a rife with prejudice and discrimination against LGBTQ athletes, which places LGBTQ people at an increased risk of psychological stress and psychiatric morbidity as a result. This exploratory study investigates if participation in LGBTQ-sport is associated with psychological health, including well-being, depression, anxiety, and stress. A sample of 124 LGBTQ participants completed an anonymous online survey measuring dimensions of psychological well-being, sexual prejudice and discrimination, LGBTQ identity, group connectedness, perceived support, athletic identity and involvement in LGBTQ-exclusive sport. Contrary to expectations, time associated with the sporting club/team and hours spent training/associating with team members did not predict well-being, depression, anxiety, or stress. Perceived club/team connectedness significantly predicted wider LGBTQ community connectedness. Several factors including perceived social support, self-esteem, club/team and LGBTQ community connectedness, positive feelings toward being LGBTQ, and internalized sexual prejudice, significantly predicted psychological health in LGBTQ athletes. Findings suggest that dimensions of LGBTQ identity formation and integration, social support and LGBTQ club/team and community connectedness and self-esteem are particularly important elements of the psychological health of LGBTQ athletes.