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

Bibliographic Data

ID22075366
AuthorsAndré Felipe Oliveira da Cruz (Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)), Pedro Victor Felisberto da Silva (Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)), Mateus Sanches Jokura (Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)), Jessenia Marise Sales Campos (Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)), Marcelo Augusto Alves dos Santos (Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)), Thaís Aparecida Medeiros Amorim (Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)), Giovanni Henrique Quizzini (0000-0001-6154-7032, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)), Matheus Augusto Martins Correia (Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)), Ana Paula Rodrigues Rocha (0000-0003-1359-5325, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz), Camila Buonani Da Silva (0000-0001-9717-0433, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)), Camila Buonani (Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)), Sueyla Ferreira Da Silva Dos Santos (0000-0003-0575-4277, Health and Movement Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP)), Sueyla Ferreira da Silva dos [UNESP] Santos (Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)), Andrea Deslandes (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro), Lucas Melo Neves (0000-0003-2426-9736, Universidade de São Paulo), Fabricio E Rossi (Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp))
Year2026
Volume14
Pages1838233-1838233
Publication date2026-04-30
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2026.1838233
PMID42145486
OpenAlexW7160026405
LanguageEN
References cited29

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

Anxiety · Mental health · Sexual minority · Sexual orientation · Young adult · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Recreation, Leisure, Wilderness Management · Sports, Gender, and Society