Trans and gender diverse young people's attitudes towards game-based digital mental health interventions: A qualitative investigation

Strauss, Penelope; Morgan, Helen; Toussaint, Dani Wright; Lin, Ashleigh; Winter, Sam; Perry, Yael

doi:10.1016/j.invent.2019.100280

Cited by 38 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…While minority subpopulations are typically numerically small, and some argue that developing tailored interventions for such groups may be unnecessary [ 106 ], there is also evidence to suggest that minority groups appreciate tailoring of interventions. For example, in a recent study examining the attitudes of transgender and gender-diverse young people toward mental health gaming interventions, participants noted that TGD representation and inclusion of meaningful, specific tailored content was favorable [ 31 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…LGBTIQ+ young people are adept and frequent users of digital technologies [ 33 , 46 , 47 ]; however, research indicates that technology use can present several challenges. Evidence suggests that the internet (including social media and online communities in particular) can be harmful in this population (as well as young people more broadly) [ 31 ] due to the potential for toxic interactions and exposure to distressing content [ 48 ], such as the normalization of self-harm and suicidal behaviors [ 49 ]. However, an array of benefits associated with technology use has also been documented in LGBTIQ+ young people.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The concept of digital delivery of interventions is generally acceptable to this group, and this is particularly true when they are specifically targeted with LGBTIQ+ themes [ 32 ]. Many existing digital health interventions are not specifically applicable to LGBTIQ+ people [ 51 ]; however, untailored interventions may exacerbate feelings of alienation [ 31 , 52 , 53 ]. Given these factors, the development and evaluation of targeted digital health interventions for LGBTIQ+ young people may represent an opportunity to improve the delivery of health care to this group, should the benefits outweigh the known challenges associated with digital health care delivery discussed above.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Effectiveness, Acceptability, and Feasibility of Digital Health Interventions for LGBTIQ+ Young People: Systematic Review

Gilbey¹,

Morgan²,

Lin³

et al. 2020

J Med Internet Res

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Background Young people (aged 12-25 years) with diverse sexuality, gender, or bodily characteristics, such as those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, or queer (LGBTIQ+), are at substantially greater risk of a range of mental, physical, and sexual health difficulties compared with their peers. Digital health interventions have been identified as a potential way to reduce these health disparities. Objective This review aims to summarize the characteristics of existing evidence-based digital health interventions for LGBTIQ+ young people and to describe the evidence for their effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted using internet databases and gray literature sources, and the results were screened for inclusion. The included studies were synthesized qualitatively. Results The search identified 38 studies of 24 unique interventions seeking to address mental, physical, or sexual health–related concerns in LGBTIQ+ young people. Substantially more evidence-based interventions existed for gay and bisexual men than for any other population group, and there were more interventions related to risk reduction of sexually transmitted infections than to any other health concern. There was some evidence for the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of these interventions overall; however, the quality of evidence is often lacking. Conclusions There is sufficient evidence to suggest that targeted digital health interventions are an important focus for future research aimed at addressing health difficulties in LGBTIQ+ young people. Additional digital health interventions are needed for a wider range of health difficulties, particularly in terms of mental and physical health concerns, as well as more targeted interventions for same gender–attracted women, trans and gender-diverse people, and people with intersex variations. Trial Registration PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42020128164; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=128164

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effectiveness, Acceptability, and Feasibility of Digital Health Interventions for LGBTIQ+ Young People: Systematic Review

Gilbey¹,

Morgan²,

Lin³

et al. 2020

J Med Internet Res

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Importantly, there is a current initiative, SPARX-T, to develop an online intervention tailored specifically to the needs of TGD youth in preventing depression (Perry et al, in preparation) [ 39 ]. TGD young people assert that game-based digital mental health interventions need to be trans-affirmative and gender inclusive in content to be appealing [ 40 ]. The findings of this study can further inform serious game design given TGD young people are likely to be users of e-mental health interventions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of the Avatar in Gaming for Trans and Gender Diverse Young People

Morgan

O'Donovan

Almeida

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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A significant proportion of trans and gender diverse (TGD) young people report membership of the gaming community and resultant benefits to wellbeing. To date their experiences and needs regarding a key feature of games, the avatar, are largely unexplored, despite increasing interest in the therapeutic role of avatars in the general population. The aim of this study was to better understand the role of the avatar in gaming, its impact on TGD young people’s mental health, and their unique needs regarding avatar design. N = 17 TGD young people aged 11–22 years (M = 16.3 years) participated in four focus groups. A general inductive approach was used to thematically analyze the transcribed data. TGD young people report considerable therapeutic benefits of using avatars with positive mental health implications. Importantly, TGD young people use avatars to explore, develop and rehearse their experienced gender identities, often as a precursor to coming out in the offline world. They also report negative experiences of feeling excluded due to the constraints of conventional notions of gender that are widely reflected in game design. Participants described simple design features to better reflect gender diversity, such as increased customization. Such changes would facilitate the positive gains reported by participants and better reflect the diversity of young people who use games. The findings have important implications for both recreational and serious or therapeutic game design.

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“…Each study could score ‘high’ ‘medium’ or ‘low’ depending on specific criteria. A total of sixteen studies achieved ‘high’ scores [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ]. Medium scores were achieved by two studies [ 43 , 44 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiences and Perceptions of Trans and Gender Non-Binary People Regarding Their Psychosocial Support Needs: A Systematic Review of the Qualitative Research Evidence

McCann

Donohue

Brown

2021

IJERPH

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People who identify as trans and gender non-binary experience many challenges in their lives and more interest is being paid to their overall health and wellbeing. However, little is known about their experiences and perceptions regarding their distinct psychosocial needs. The aim of this systematic review is to critically evaluate and synthesize the existing research evidence relating to the unique psychological and social experiences of trans people and identify aspects that may help or hinder access to appropriate psychosocial interventions and supports. The PRISMA procedure was utilized. A search of relevant databases from January 2010 to January 2021 was undertaken. Studies were identified that involved trans people, and addressed issues related to their psychosocial needs. The search yielded 954 papers in total. Following the application of rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria a total of 18 papers were considered suitable for the systematic review. Quality was assessed using the MMAT instrument. Following analysis, four themes were identified: (i) stigma, discrimination and marginalization (ii) trans affirmative experiences (iii) formal and informal supports, and (iv) healthcare access. The policy, education and practice development implications are highlighted and discussed. Future research opportunities have been identified that will add significantly to the body of evidence that may further the development of appropriate health interventions and supports to this population.

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Trans and gender diverse young people's attitudes towards game-based digital mental health interventions: A qualitative investigation

Cited by 38 publications

References 35 publications

Effectiveness, Acceptability, and Feasibility of Digital Health Interventions for LGBTIQ+ Young People: Systematic Review

Effectiveness, Acceptability, and Feasibility of Digital Health Interventions for LGBTIQ+ Young People: Systematic Review

The Role of the Avatar in Gaming for Trans and Gender Diverse Young People

Experiences and Perceptions of Trans and Gender Non-Binary People Regarding Their Psychosocial Support Needs: A Systematic Review of the Qualitative Research Evidence

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