Cohn, Ellen J. (2022) Their Voices, Their Feelings: Exploring the Wellbeing and School Experiences of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth Enrolled in Alternative Education. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
In recent times, a range of studies have reported on the negative experiences that sexual and gender diverse (SGD) youth face in mainstream school. However, there has been a dearth of research that explores this minority groups’ school experiences in alternative education. Little research has explored how these counter spaces can be inclusive of and support the wellbeing of SGD students when the mainstream school system fails. Through semi-structured interviews with 11 SGD youth, this study explores their high school experiences within an alternative education setting and their retrospective accounts of their mainstream school experiences. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis and two major themes centred around : (1) school relationships and social support and (2) school climate and inclusive learning approaches. The findings indicate that the school experiences of SGD youth vary across the school context. For SGD youth, their experience with mainstream school was marginalising, gendered, and non-inclusive. By contrast, students felt supported, affirmed, and included in alternative education. Modelling the inclusive ethos of alternative education provides practical implications for all schools to be more inclusive to SGD students' unique needs and thus improve the school climate. Recommendations include comprehensive SGD training and education for teachers, staff, and students to normalise diversity and enable each student to achieve their full potential.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current – Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Wellbeing (1 Jan 2022 -) |
| Supervisors: | Lorelle Burton |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 19 May 2025 04:10 |
| Last Modified: | 19 May 2025 04:10 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Alternative education; sexual and gender diversity; school experiences; minority stress theory; wellbeing; adolescents; thematic analysis |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52216 |
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