First Advisor
Dr. Lindsey Wilkinson
Date of Award
Spring 6-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology and University Honors
Department
Psychology
Language
English
Subjects
Minority Stress Model, Psychological Resilience, Structural Stigma, LGBTQ+ Mental Health, Organizational Capital, Turnover Intention
Abstract
Traditional LGBTQ+ mental health frameworks often conceptualize psychological safety as a matter of individual endurance. This paper critiques this focus on adaptive resilience, which systematically shifts responsibility from institutions to individuals. To counter this, the study introduces "Psychological Architecture," a framework viewing social environments as constructed infrastructures that can either support or undermine queer well-being. The model contrasts performative "Glasshouses," which prioritize visibility over safety, with engineered "Greenhouses" that nurture sustainable safety through three sequential pillars: Authentic Representation (walls), Emotional Validation (insulation), and Vocal Activism (ventilation). Grounded in the findings of a 2024 qualitative pilot study of a queer roller derby league, these pillars were tested via a systematic literature review (SLR). The SLR consists of 15 peer-reviewed articles across four domains: education, corporate, athletics, and digital spaces. Deductive thematic synthesis identified critical cross-domain research gaps and possible structural instabilities. Findings indicate that the education sector had the highest alignment by integrating all three pillars, corresponding to reduced minority stress. Conversely, the corporate sector neglected emotional validation, yielding "glass architecture" and higher employee turnover despite diversity quotas. Athletic and digital domains prioritized representation and validation but lacked systemic vocal activism, shifting resistance burdens back to individuals as compensatory labor. This study ultimately calls for a reallocation of responsibility within the research field and the targeted industries, emphasizing evaluation of institutional conditions rather than individual adaptability.
Recommended Citation
Lee, Ava, "Psychological Architecture: Evaluating the "Greenhouse Model" as an Organizational Standard for LGBTQ+ Psychological Well-Being" (2026). University Honors Theses. Paper 1843.
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