Social Media and Social Connection in Sexual and Gender Minority Young Adults

Explores the links between social media, social connectedness, and community as they relate to the mental health of LGBTQ+ and young adults through a mixed-methods approach. The findings suggest that social connections on social media can counter the effects of depression and anxiety, especially among frequent users, helping us see how effective use of online spaces can support mental health. Copyright: 2025

This product is not included in the APA Unlimited CE program.

New York state psychologists: This program is not currently in compliance with the unique requirements imposed by the New York State Board of Education for New York licensed psychologists CE.

• Explain the benefits and complexities of group membership and social connections among sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) as they relate social media usage among SGMs.
• Discuss the purpose of the mixed-methods sequential exploratory study on SGMs social media usage and its impact on mental health.
• Describe the positive relationship among mental health, social media use, and social connection online.
• Explain how outness, community, and integration of social media into social routine are positively associated with social connectedness.
• Discuss how social connection mitigates the effects of time spent online on depression and anxiety, particularly among frequent users.

Amaranta Ramirez, David B. Rivera, and Alison Cerezo, University of California, Santa Barbara

This Continuing Education program is in partnership with the Division 17 (Society of Counseling Psychology).