Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the profile and mental health status of neurodivergent (ND) students in a large university sample (N = 2,206), as well as to examine how intersectionalities of neurodivergence with other minority statuses impact mental health and wellbeing. Participants were recruited to an online survey, and were coded based on their reported gender, sexual orientation, racial minority status, linguistic minority status, citizenship status, relationship preferences, religiosity, socioeducational profile and presence of neurodivergent and mental health conditions. Psychological distress was assessed with the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS) was used to examine experiences of discrimination in racialized groups. Neurodivergent participants were more likely to belong to LGBTQ+ groups, to engage in non-conventional relationship dynamics and styles, and to engage in non-conventional academic and religious and spiritual paths. Women were more likely to self-identify as ND than men, and white participants were more likely to self-identify as ND than participants from racial minorities, which might reflect larger systemic and institutional factors. ND participants had on average higher scores in all three subscales of the DASS-21, but not in the EDS. Main and interaction effects in DASS-21 scores were observed between neurodivergence and gender, racial status and income, and main effects were observed between neurodivergence and sexual minority status. Both main and interaction effects were found between neurodivergence and racial and linguistic minority statuses in discrimination scores. Limitations and future directions are discussed, as well as clinical and institutional implications.