Empirically based psychological interventions with sexual minority youth: A systematic review.

Abstract

Sexual minority youth (SMY, i.e., lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals between the ages of 13–17) report increased rates of mental health concerns in comparison with heterosexual youth. However, there is a shortage of empirically supported treatments for SMY, as commonly administered interventions are understudied for minority communities. A systematic review of intervention literature was performed, consisting of 820 articles published through May 2017 that reported on intervention with SMY. After reviewing abstracts, 58 articles were included in 2 rounds of coding, with 8 articles providing quantitative pre- and post-treatment data with SMY that were not case studies, qualitatively based, and/or only containing general recommendations. In-person, computerized, and online interventions were all found to be effective modes of intervention for SMY, including individual and group approaches for various health concerns. Furthermore, treatments that were specifically modified for SMY with SMY-trained facilitators, and treatments with no SMY modifications or training, reported significant results. Generally, building resilience and encouraging identity acceptance were core to many of the interventions. Future research should expand on the interventions included in this review, with larger samples, comparison groups, and follow-up data. Although quantitative, empirically based intervention research regarding SMY is limited, important findings are discussed that inform recommendations for practicing clinicians and researchers.

An Interdisciplinary Ecological Framework: Intervention for LGBTQ Interpersonal Violence

“…To date, there is a growing body of empirical support for a variety of affirmative, strength-based, and resiliency-oriented psychological interventions, models, and theoretical modalities (Hobaica et al 2018). Hobaica et al (2018) conducted a systematic review of empirically based psychological interventions for LGBTQ youth. This systematic review of 820 articles resulted in the identification of eight empirically supported interventions shown to be effective and suitable for LGBTQ youth.…”

“…These interventions were also conducted in face-to-face, online, and computerized formats, although face-to-face was argued to have the most benefits. Accordingly, mental health and related professionals have access to a range of interventions and formats that can be utilized to address the complex issues of interpersonal violence in schools (Hobaica et al 2018).…”

“…However, the extant literature is largely individualized, and although intervening at the individual level can be effective (Hobaica et al 2018), it is crucial that professional counselors and related youth service professionals extend their work across various contexts, such as family, school, and community stakeholders (Luke and Goodrich 2015;Craig and Furman 2018). Interventions aimed at addressing the multiple interrelated relationships and systems that impact (Luke and Goodrich 2015;Tudge et al 2009;Ungar 2011;Ungar et al 2013) LGBTQ youth can more appropriately account for the multiple contexts that influence their lives and interpersonal violence.…”

“…Although further research is warranted, the current literature provides professional counselors and related professionals with interventions aimed at combating issues that impact LGBTQ youth (e.g., interpersonal violence, stigma, discrimination), while simultaneously centering their strengths and resilience in an ecological manner (Hobaica et al 2018). That said, it is imperative that counselors and scholars examine the differential effects of their interventions, given the diversity of LGBTQ youth identities and experiences.…”

How LGBT+ Young People Use the Internet in Relation to Their Mental Health and Envisage the Use of e-Therapy: Exploratory Study

“…A recent systematic review of psychosocial interventions for mental health problems amongst LGBT+ young people stated that only A few promising psychological therapies adapted to meet the needs of LGBTQIA [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual] individuals have emerged in recent years p [10]. This review from Van Der Pol-Harney and McAloon [10] and another review, conducted by Hobaica and colleagues [20], identified only one computerized intervention to support the mental health of LGBT+ young people, which was not focused on addressing drug usage, specifically Rainbow SPARX (Smart, Positive, Active, Realistic, X-factor thoughts) [10,20]. This intervention is a seven module cCBT program created for sexual minority young people from New Zealand [21], and is delivered in the English language.…”