Student Research Symposium Program Portal: Submission #25

Submission information
Submission Number: 25
Submission ID: 7621
Submission UUID: 08f952f9-0d94-4c32-a27e-c969d89ae137

Created: Thu, 01/30/2025 - 01:19 PM
Completed: Thu, 01/30/2025 - 01:20 PM
Changed: Mon, 04/14/2025 - 01:39 PM

Remote IP address: 107.152.72.4
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English

Is draft: No
First Name Michael
Last Name Ackeret
Pronouns
FSU Student Email ma23h@fsu.edu
Student Photo IMG_6082.jpg
Major(s) Psychology
Student Bio I’m a senior Psych major. I consider myself from St Pete, but my hometown is Wausau, Wisconsin. I work as a peer mentor at FSU and a mathematics tutor at GCSC. I’m moving to Philadelphia this summer to start graduate school at Lehigh University. My research focuses on mental health access and efficiency for marginalized communities. After the Master's program, I will immediately move on to obtain a PhD in Counseling Psychology. I hope for my research to inform progressive and inclusive legislature. I also want to train clinicians on cultural sensitivity and inclusion, as well as making access to mental health care available for everyone.
Poster Title The Loneliness Gap: A Systematic, Critical Review of Belongingness in LGBT Suicide Research
Abstract LGBT individuals face disproportionately high rates of suicidality compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers, with transgender individuals experiencing the highest risk. While previous research has extensively examined risk factors such as discrimination, minority stress, and social rejection, less attention has been given to the role of thwarted belongingness as a central mechanism influencing suicidality in this population. Using a systematic approach, this critical review evaluates inconsistencies in how belongingness is conceptualized and identifies key areas for improvement in future research. Seven peer-reviewed studies published between 2019 and 2024 were selected based on specific inclusion criteria and analyzed to compare how belongingness is defined, measured, and framed in suicide risk models. The findings reveal significant inconsistencies, with belongingness variously categorized as a predictor, mediator, moderator, or protective factor. Additionally, studies differed in their measurement approaches, assessing belongingness through community connection, school belonging, or general social inclusion. This review identifies key gaps in the literature, including the need for a more standardized approach to defining and measuring belongingness and greater attention to the conditions under which belongingness influences suicide risk. Findings suggest that suicide prevention efforts for LGBT populations should focus not only on reducing external stressors but also on actively fostering a sense of belonging through targeted interventions at the family, community, and policy levels.
Research Mentor Name Dr. Tyler Towne
Research Mentor's College (or High School) Florida State University
Research Mentor's Department (or Subject) Psychology
Research Mentor's Email ttowne@pc.fsu.edu
Additional Research Mentor(s) Dr. Leah Koehler, Dr. Tory Peek
Co-presenter(s)
Keywords LGBT, Suicide Prevention, Belongingness
Poster Session/Number C - 5 R - 1
Work Complete
Presentation Modality Face to Face Poster session
Poster PDF
Poster Thumbnail Screenshot 2025-03-21 at 12.23.27 PM.png
I will be printing my poster No
Year 2025
Annual description 5th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, April 17, 2025
Update URL https://pc.fsu.edu/student-research/symposium/research-symposium-program-portal?element_parents=elements/student_photo&ajax_form=1&_wrapper_format=drupal_ajax&token=HCyJOZEwtpJ3EzIma6E7jF5g7lj4DVDbN4tZOPp-7j0