Does sports participation reduce disparities in anxiety and depression symptoms among sexual minority and heterosexual undergraduate students? A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION

Although sports participation is recognized for its psychological benefits, it remains unclear whether participation in competitive sports may produce different effects on these symptoms among sexual minority university students compared to their heterosexual peers. This study aimed to compare anxiety and depression symptoms between 524 undergraduate students engaged and not engaged in sports competitions by sexual orientation.

METHODS

With cross-sectional design, this study included 524 undergraduate students, categorized as engaged in sports participation or not engaged, and by sexual orientation (bisexual, gay/lesbian, and pansexual). Anxiety and depression symptoms were assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and Patient Health Questionnaire-9.

RESULTS

Sexual minority students (bisexual, gay/lesbian, and pansexual) with sports participation had a significantly higher prevalence of moderate to severe anxiety (50.5% vs. 30.2%) and depression symptoms (50.5% vs. 35.6%), as a higher risk for anxiety (OR = 2.4 95% CI: 1.38 to 4.03, p = 0.002) and depression symptoms (OR = 1.8 95% CI: 1.09 to 3.13, p = 0.022) compared to heterosexual students with sports participation. Gay/lesbian students with sports participation had significantly higher anxiety (11.4 ± 5.4 vs. 7.8 ± 4.7, p = 0.007) and depression scores (13.2 ± 7.0 vs. 8.7 ± 5.9, p = 0.006) than heterosexual students with sports participation. However, there was no significant difference in the students without sports participation.

DISCUSSION: Sports participation did not appear to minimize anxiety or depression symptoms among sexual minority students, particularly among gay/lesbian, highlighting the need for more inclusive and supportive university sports environments.