Introduction: The literature shows an increasing interest in the relationship between individuals’ sexual orientation and their subjective well-being, linking the former to various spheres of life, such as social support, health, and life satisfaction. However, research on the impact of sexual orientation in the relationship between subjective well-being variables is scarce in the university population. This study examined the associations between support from family, friends and other people with life satisfaction, directly and mediated by self-perceived health, comparing these relationships in heterosexual and lesbian, gay, bisexual and other non-heterosexual (LGB+) university students in Chile. Method: The sample (n = 525) answered an online questionnaire with sociodemographic questions about perceived social support, self-perceived health, and life satisfaction. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling and multigroup analysis. Results: Family support was positively associated with life satisfaction, directly and mediated by self-perceived health, in both heterosexual and LGB+ students; support from friends and others showed differential associations by sexual orientation. However, the proposed model was statistically similar for both groups. Conclusion: These findings highlight the relevance of different types of support on the life satisfaction of university students according to their sexual orientation.

---

Keywords:
Sexual orientation, life satisfaction, social support, self-perceived health, university students.

01_RSP_31(2)_24023_Apoyo

Barrera-Herrera, A., & San Martín, Y. (2020). Prevalencia de sintomatología de salud mental y hábitos de salud en una muestra de universitarios chilenos. Psykhe, 30(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.7764/psykhe.2019.21813

Barrera-Herrera, A., Neira-Cofré, M., Raipán-Gómez, P., Riquelme-Lobos, P., & Escobar, B. (2019). Perceived social support and socio-demographic factors in relation to symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress in Chilean university students. Revista de Psicopatología y Psicología Clínica, 24(2), 105-115. https://doi.org/10.5944/rppc.23676

Bartram, D. (2023). Sexual orientation and life satisfaction. Journal of Sociology, 59(1), 20-35. https://doi.org/10.1177/14407833211017672

Castro, L., Vásquez, N., Tovar, H., Valderrama, J., & Argüello, Y. (2020). Cambios en la condición física de jóvenes aparentemente sanos desde su ingreso a la universidad. VIREF Revista de Educación Física, 8(4), 91-102.  https://revistas.udea.edu.co/index.php/viref/article/view/338557

Caycho, T. (2017). Importancia del análisis de invarianza factorial en estudios comparativos en Ciencias de la Salud. Revista Cubana de Educación Médica Superior, 31(2), 1-3.

Checa, I., Di Marco, D., & Bohórquez, R. (2022). Measurement invariance of the satisfaction with life scale by sexual orientation. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 51, 2891-2897. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-02240-0

Chen, C., Bian, F., & Zhu, Y. (2023). The relationship between social support and academic engagement among university students: the chain mediating effects of life satisfaction and academic motivation. BMC Public Health, 23, 2368. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17301-3

Cheung, G. W., & Rensvold, R. B. (2002). Evaluating goodness of fit indexes for testing measurement invariance. Structural Equation Modeling, 9(2), 233-255. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15328007SEM0902_5

Christie, C. (2021). What is hidden can still hurt: Concealable stigma, psychological wellbeing, and social support among LGB college students. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 18(3), 693-701. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-020-00492-4

Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The satisfaction with life scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49(1), 71-75. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa4901_13

Dumas, S., Yangchen, T., Sanderson, M., Bartley, K., & Levanon, A. (2020). Comparison of the four healthy days measures (HRQOL-4) with a single measure of self-rated general health in a population-based health survey in New York City. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 18, 315. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-020-01560-4

Ellis, S., Peel, E., & Riggs, D. (2020). Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex, and Queer Psychology: An Introduction (2.ª ed). Cambridge University Press.

Hennessy, C., Moriarty, D., Zack, M., Scherr, P., & Brackbill, R. (1994). Measuring health-related quality of life for public health surveillance. Public Health Reports, 109(5), 665-672.

Heslin, K., & Alfier, J. (2022). Sexual orientation differences in access to care and health status, behaviors, and beliefs: Findings from the national health and nutrition examination survey, national survey of family growth, and national health interview survey. National Health Statistics Reports, (171), 1-16.

Hu, L., & Bentler, P. (1999). Cut off criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling, 6(1), 1-55. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705519909540118

Kline, R. (2015). Principles and practices of Structural equation modeling. Guilford Press.

Li, H., Liu, X., Zheng, Q., Zeng, S., & Luo, X. (2023). Minority stress, social support and mental health among lesbian, gay, and bisexual college students in China: A moderated mediation analysis. BMC Psychiatry, 23(1), 746. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-05202-z

López-Angulo, Y., Pérez-Villalobos, V., Bernardo, A., Cobo, R., Sáez, F., & Díaz-Mujica, A. (2021). Propiedades psicométricas de la Escala multidimensional de apoyo social percibido en estudiantes universitarios chilenos. Revista Iberoamericana de Diagnóstico y Evaluación, 58(1), 127-140. https://doi.org/10.21865/RIDEP58.1.11

Marx, R. A., Maffini, C. S., & Peña, F. J. (2024). Understanding nonbinary college students’ experiences on college campuses: An exploratory study of mental health, campus involvement, victimization, and safety. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, 17(3), 330-345. https://doi.org/10.1037/dhe0000422

McLean, L., Gaul, D., & Penco, R. (2022). Perceived social support and stress: A study of 1st year students in Ireland. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 21, 2101-2121.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-021-00710-z

Meyer, I. H. (2003). Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: Conceptual issues and research evidence. Psychological Bulletin, 129(5), 674-697. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.129.5.674

Mo, P., Wong, E., Yeung, N., Wong, S., Chung, Y., Tong, A., Ko, C., Li, J., Yeoh, E. K.(2022). Differential associations among social support, health promoting behaviors, health-related quality of life and subjective well-being in older and younger persons: A structural equation modelling approach. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 20, 38. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-022-01931-z

Newcomb, M. E., LaSala, M. C., Bouris, A., Mustanski, B., Prado, G., Schrager, S. M., & Huebner, D. M. (2019). The influence of families on LGBTQ youth health: A call to action for innovation in research and intervention development. LGBT Health, 6(4), 139-145. https://doi.org/10.1089/lgbt.2018.0157

Orellana, L., Alarcón, T., & Schnettler, B. (2022). Behavior without beliefs: Profiles of heteronormativity and well-being among heterosexual and non-heterosexual university students in Chile. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, article 988054. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.988054

Orellana, L., Márquez, C., Farías, P., Liempi, G., & Schnettler, B. (2022). Social support, attitudes toward sexuality, and life satisfaction based on the sexual orientation of university students. Actualidades en Psicología, 36(132), 43-57. https://doi.org/10.15517/ap.v36i132.47033

Ortiz, M., & Fernández, M. (2018). Modelo de Ecuaciones Estructurales: una guía para ciencias médicas y ciencias de la salud. Terapia Psicológica, 36(1), 51-57.  https://doi.org/10.4067/s0718-48082017000300047

Pachankis, J., & Bränström, R. (2018). Hidden from happiness: Structural stigma, sexual orientation concealment, and life satisfaction across 28 countries. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 86(5), 403-415. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000299

Picton, C., Kahu, E., & Nelson, K. (2017). Friendship supported learning – the role of friendship in first-year students’ university experiences [Conference Paper]. Massey University.

Pinto, C., Lara, R., Espinoza, E., & Montoya, P. (2014). Propiedades psicométricas de la escala de apoyo social percibido de Zimet en personas mayores de Atención Primaria de Salud. Index de Enfermería, 23(1-2), 85-89.  https://doi.org/10.4321/S1132-12962014000100018

Powdthavee, N., & Wooden, M. (2015). Life satisfaction and sexual minorities: Evidence from Australia and the United Kingdom. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 116, 107-126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2015.04.012

Preacher, K. J., & Hayes, A. F. (2008). Asymptotic and resampling strategies for assessing and comparing indirect effects in multiple mediator models. Behavior Research Methods, 40(3), 879-891.  https://doi.org/10.3758/brm.40.3.879

Ramayah, T., Cheah, J., Chuah, F., Ting, H., & Memon, M. (2018). Partial Leat: Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLIS-SEM) Using SmartPLS 3.0: An Updated Guide and Practical Guide to Statistical Analysis (2nd ed). Pearson Malaysia.

Ryu, E., & Cheong, J. (2017). Comparing indirect effects in different groups in single-group and multi-group structural equation models. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00747

Schnettler, B., Grunert, K., Miranda-Zapata, E., Orellana, L., Sepúlveda, J., Hueche, C., Salinas, N., Lobos, G., Denegri, M., & Adasme-Berrios, C. (2018). Life, family, and food satisfaction in university students. Suma Psicológica, 25(1), 30-40. https://doi.org/10.14349/sumapsi.2018.v25.n1.4

Schnettler, B., Miranda, H., Lobos, G., Orellana, L., Sepúlveda, J., Denegri, M., Etchebarne, S., Mora, M., & Grunert, K. (2015). Eating habits and subjective well-being. A typology of students in Chilean state universities. Appetite, 89, 203-214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2015.02.008

Schnettler, B., Miranda-Zapata, E., Sánchez, M., Orellana, L., Lobos, G., Adasme-Berríos, C., Sepúlveda, J., & Hueche, C. (2021). Cross-cultural measurement invariance in the satisfaction with life scale in Chilean and Spanish university students. Suma Psicológica, 28(2), 128-135. https://doi.org/10.14349/SUMAPSI.2021.V28.N2.8

Schnettler, B., Orellana, L., Sepúlveda, J., Miranda, H., Grunert, G., Lobos, G., & Hueche, C. (2017). Psychometric properties of the multidimensional students’ life satisfaction scale in a sample of Chilean university students. Suma Psicológica, 24(2), 97-106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sumpsi.2017.06.001

Schober, P., Boer, C., & Schwarte, L. A. (2018). Correlation coefficients: Appropriate use and interpretation. Anesthesia and Analgesia, 126(5), 1763-1768. https://doi.org/10.1213/ANE.0000000000002864

Taylor, P. J., Dhingra, K., Dickson, J. M., & McDermott, E. (2018). Psychological correlates of self-harm within gay, lesbian and bisexual UK university students. Archives of Suicide Research: Official Journal of the International Academy for Suicide Research, 24(1), 41-56. https://doi.org/10.1080/13811118.2018.1515136

Tomicic, A., Martínez, C., & Immel, N. (2021). Experiences of psychological and psychotherapeutic support for LGBT youth who have survived a suicide process. Revista Interamericana de Psicología/Interamerican Journal of Psychology, 55(1), e1453. https://doi.org/10.30849/ripijp.v55i1.1453

Travers, A., Armour, C., Hansen, M., Cunningham, T., Lagdon, S., Hyland, P., Vallières, F., McCarthy, A., & Walshe, C. (2020). Lesbian, gay or bisexual identity as a risk factor for trauma and mental health problems in Northern Irish students and the protective role of social support. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 11(1), Article: 1708144. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2019.1708144

Tuapanta, D., Duque, V., & Mena, A. (2017). Alfa de Cronbach para validar un cuestionario de uso de TIC en docentes universitarios. Revista mktDescubre, 3232(12), 37-48.

Vázquez, I., Gato, J., Coimbra, S., Tasker, F., Barrientos, J., Miscioscia, M., Cerqueira-Santos, E., Malmquist, A., Seabra, D., Leal, D., Houghton, M., Poli, M., Gubello, A., Ramos, M. M., Guzmán-González, M., Urzúa, A., Ulloa, F., & Wurm, M. (2023). Psychological adjustment profiles of LGBTQ+ young adults residing with their parents during the COVID-19 pandemic: An international study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(4), 3188. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043188

Wen, G., & Zheng, L. (2019). The influence of internalized homophobia on health-related quality of life and life satisfaction among gay and bisexual men in Chile. American Journal of Men’s Health, 13(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/1557988319864775

Zimet, G. D., Dahlem, N. W., Zimet, S. G., & Farley, G. K. (1988). The multidimensional scale of perceived social support. Journal of Personality Assessment, 52(1), 30-41. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa5201_2