The Impact of Sexual Orientation on College Athlete Sport-Related Belonging and Well-Being

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of sexual orientation on college athlete sport-related well-being and determine whether team belonging influenced this relation. Two hundred nineteen college athletes completed an online questionnaire including a demographic survey, measure of sport belonging, and the Sport Mental Health Continuum-Short Form. Mediation analysis assessed direct and indirect effects of sexual orientation on sport-related well-being through sport belonging, controlling for demographic variables (race, sport gender, first-generation status, and years on team). Queer-spectrum sexual orientation significantly predicted lower levels of sport belonging, sport psychological well-being, and social sport well-being. A PROCESS macro confirmed that sport belonging partially mediated the relation between sexual orientation and sport psychological well-being. Findings highlight the importance of identity and the social environment’s impact on sport belonging and well-being. Inclusion strategies are discussed to improve queer-spectrum athlete experience.