Graduate Program

Clinical Psychology

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Semester of Degree Completion

Summer 2025

Thesis Director

JungSu Oh

Thesis Committee Member

Jeannie Ludlow

Thesis Committee Member

Steven J. Scher

Abstract

This study used intersectionality theory to examine how overlapping minority identities impact receiving social support and the cultivation of resiliency. Individuals who identify as in the Gender and Sexually Diverse (GSD) community or the neurodivergent (ND) community may experience unique stressors due to various barriers to support. Overlap of GSD and ND identities can present added struggles. Information from 46 GSD and/or ND college students was collected through self-report scales and recorded interviews to examine the effects of perceived social support on resiliency. Also assessed were common values in social support like having someone to talk to and being understood, along with common barriers to receiving support like communication difficulty. Furthermore, the ways people have adapted to overcome adversity are discussed. The study’s hypothesis that higher perceived social support will result in higher resiliency in these individuals was supported by positive correlations between social support and resiliency both in the overall sample and in each of two comparison groups: GSD students who are also ND, and GSD students who are not ND. Furthermore, this work affirms and builds on previous literature around intersectionality models, minority stress, social support factors, and resiliency. The study discussed the implications of findings and how providers of social support (non-professionals and professionals) may use the findings to better support people in these communities.

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