The views of lesbian, gay and bisexual youth regarding computerised self-help for depression: An exploratory study

Lucassen, Mathijs; Hatcher, Simon; Stasiak, Karolina; Fleming, Theresa; Shepherd, Matthew; Merry, Sally

doi:10.5172/jamh.2013.12.1.22

Cited by 44 publications

(65 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…This corroborates with past research in this area, which has found that no existing computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (cCBT) programs address challenges specific to lesbians and gay men [16]. It also reinforces broader work that demonstrates a shortage of mental health care that caters to the needs of same-sex attracted populations [16,28,31]. This is despite a comprehensive and growing body of research that shows that therapy modes that fail to do so can alienate lesbians and gay men and lead to diminished therapeutic outcomes [27,29-31,34].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Assessing the Applicability of E-Therapies for Depression, Anxiety, and Other Mood Disorders Among Lesbians and Gay Men: Analysis of 24 Web- and Mobile Phone-Based Self-Help Interventions

Rozbroj¹,

Lyons²,

Pitts³

et al. 2014

J Med Internet Res

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BackgroundLesbians and gay men have disproportionately high rates of depression and anxiety, and report lower satisfaction with treatments. In part, this may be because many health care options marginalize them by assuming heterosexuality, or misunderstand and fail to respond to the challenges specifically faced by these groups. E-therapies have particular potential to respond to the mental health needs of lesbians and gay men, but there is little research to determine whether they do so, or how they might be improved.ObjectiveWe sought to examine the applicability of existing mental health e-therapies for lesbians and gay men.MethodsWe reviewed 24 Web- and mobile phone-based e-therapies and assessed their performance in eight key areas, including the use of inclusive language and content and whether they addressed mental health stressors for lesbians and gay men, such as experiences of stigma related to their sexual orientation, coming out, and relationship issues that are specific to lesbians and gay men.ResultsWe found that e-therapies seldom addressed these stressors. Furthermore, 58% (14/24) of therapies contained instances that assumed or suggested the user was heterosexual, with instances especially prevalent among better-evidenced programs.ConclusionsOur findings, and a detailed review protocol presented in this article, may be used as guides for the future development of mental health e-therapies to better accommodate the needs of lesbians and gay men.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Assessing the Applicability of E-Therapies for Depression, Anxiety, and Other Mood Disorders Among Lesbians and Gay Men: Analysis of 24 Web- and Mobile Phone-Based Self-Help Interventions

Rozbroj¹,

Lyons²,

Pitts³

et al. 2014

J Med Internet Res

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“…Table 1 presents details of the included studies (k = 33). Sixteen studies were aimed at computerized treatments, of which nine were unguided computerized treatments (four computer-based and five internet-based) [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38] and seven studies were guided computerized treatments (one computer-based and six internet-bases) [39][40][41][42][43][44][45], two studies at blended treatment [46,47], two studies compared unguided computerized, blended-and face-to-face treatment to no treatment [48,49], and eight studies were aimed at self-help internet-based games [50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57]. Furthermore, two studies that were focused on the use of an online monitoring tool aimed at registering and monitoring treatment progression [58,59] and three studies were aimed at characteristics of online interventions or studied the preferred modes of help seeking [60][61][62].…”

Section: Data Extractionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sixteen studies were mainly focused on the feasibility, usability, and acceptability of computerized and blended interventions. The study designs were mixed and they contained qualitative studies with focus groups of patients, healthy adolescents or mental health professionals (k = 6) [41,53,54,56,58,59], randomized controlled trials (k = 3) [43,47,48], pre-post designs without control group (k = 5) [31,46,50,51,55], and cross-sectional studies (k = 2) [32,37]. Three studies were mainly focused on the preferences of patients regarding treatment modalities [32,60,62].…”

Section: Description Of Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Participants reported that the computer game Sparx was acceptable, useful, and feasible as intervention [50,53,55]. They also reported that the program was appealing for young people [55,57], although the generic version of Sparx did not specifically address topics for sexual minority youth (i.e., youth attracted to the same sex, both sexes, or not sure of their sexual attraction) [54]. The majority of adolescents would recommend Sparx to others [55,57].…”

Section: Acceptabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Is Digital Treatment the Holy Grail? Literature Review on Computerized and Blended Treatment for Depressive Disorders in Youth

Rasing

Stikkelbroek

Bodden

2019

IJERPH

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Computerized and blended treatments seem to be an attractive treatment for adolescents as an alternative to face-to-face treatment, but mental health professionals seem hesitant to use these treatment modalities. This review provides an overview of factors contributing to and withholding from using computerized or blended treatment in routine care. Three databases were searched with terms related to (1) adolescents, (2) depression, (3) computerized or blended, and (4) treatment. Of the 33 articles identified, 10 focused on unguided computerized treatments, six on guided, two on blended, two compared unguided, blended- and face-to-face treatment to no treatment, and eight studies on games. Further, two articles that were focused on an online monitoring tool and three on intervention characteristics or preferred modes of help-seeking. Evidence for effectiveness, adherence, drop-out, and forming therapeutic relations were suspected to be barriers, but are no reason to reject computerized or blended treatment. Improvement in mental health literacy and the possibility to tailor the intervention are facilitators. However, adolescents’ intention to seek help, acceptability of computerized treatment, symptom severity, time spent by therapist, and other facilities are identified as barriers and they need to be taken into account when using computerized or blended interventions. Nevertheless, computerized and blended are promising treatments for depressed youth.

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“…In particular, experiencing mistreatment and stress results in LGBT+ individuals frequently internalizing the negativity associated with anti-LGBT+ messages. This in turn can lead to self-loathing and a range of unhelpful cognitions, which are then thought to place LGBT+ young people at greater risk of mental health problems, such as depression [6]. Moreover, it is not unusual for LGBT+ young people to face the challenge of navigating multiple stigmas related to difference, such as being LGBT+ and having mental health problems [7] or being an ethnic minority and LGBT+ [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Lucassen¹,

Samra²,

Iacovides³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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BACKGROUND: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth and other young people diverse in terms of their sexuality and gender (LGBT+) are at an elevated risk of mental health problems such as depression. Factors such as isolation and stigma mean that accessing mental health services can be particularly challenging for LGBT+ young people, and previous studies have highlighted that many prefer to access psychological support on the Web. Research from New Zealand has demonstrated promising effectiveness and acceptability for an LGBT+ focused, serious game-based, computerized cognitive behavioral therapy program, Rainbow Smart, Positive, Active, Realistic, X-factor thoughts (SPARX). However, there has been limited research conducted in the area of electronic therapy (e-therapy) for LGBT+ people. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore how and why LGBT+ young people use the internet to support their mental health. This study also sought to explore LGBT+ young people's and professionals' views about e-therapies, drawing on the example of Rainbow SPARX. METHODS: A total of 3 focus groups and 5 semistructured interviews were conducted with 21 LGBT+ young people (aged 15-22 years) and 6 professionals (4 health and social care practitioners and 2 National Health Service commissioners) in England and Wales. A general inductive approach was used to analyze data. RESULTS: LGBT+ youth participants considered that the use of the internet was ubiquitous, and it was valuable for support and information. However, they also thought that internet use could be problematic, and they highlighted certain internet safety and personal security considerations. They drew on a range of gaming experiences and expectations to inform their feedback about Rainbow SPARX. Their responses focused on the need for this e-therapy program to be updated and refined. LGBT+ young people experienced challenges related to stigma and mistreatment, and they suggested that strategies addressing their common challenges should be included in e-therapy content. Professional study participants also emphasized the need to update and refine Rainbow SPARX. Moreover, professionals highlighted some of the issues associated with e-therapies needing to demonstrate effectiveness and challenges associated with health service commissioning processes. CONCLUSIONS: LGBT+ young people use the internet to obtain support and access information, including information related to their mental health. They are interested in LGBT-specific e-therapies; however, these must be in a contemporary format, engaging, and adequately acknowledge the experiences of LGBT+ young people.

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The views of lesbian, gay and bisexual youth regarding computerised self-help for depression: An exploratory study

Abstract: Abstract:Background: Lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) youth with depression are often isolated and face

Cited by 44 publications

References 26 publications

Assessing the Applicability of E-Therapies for Depression, Anxiety, and Other Mood Disorders Among Lesbians and Gay Men: Analysis of 24 Web- and Mobile Phone-Based Self-Help Interventions

Assessing the Applicability of E-Therapies for Depression, Anxiety, and Other Mood Disorders Among Lesbians and Gay Men: Analysis of 24 Web- and Mobile Phone-Based Self-Help Interventions

Is Digital Treatment the Holy Grail? Literature Review on Computerized and Blended Treatment for Depressive Disorders in Youth

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

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