I Belong: Gender and Sexuality Minoritized Students' Positive Perceptions of Campus Climate Protect Against PTSD Following Sexual Assault.

This article examines the relationship between sexual assault, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and perceptions of campus climate among college students, focusing on those whose gender and/or sexuality are minoritized (GSM). The study found that GSM victims of sexual assault reported more severe PTSD symptoms than non-GSM victims; however, positive perceptions of campus climate—characterized by a sense of belonging and support—moderated this effect, reducing PTSD symptom severity for GSM students to levels comparable with non-GSM students. These findings highlight the protective role of an inclusive and supportive campus environment for GSM survivors and suggest that institutions of higher education can mitigate adverse mental health outcomes by fostering affirming policies, curricula, and community spaces. The study calls for targeted institutional reforms to improve campus climate and support resources for GSM students vulnerable to sexual assault and its psychological consequences.