AFFIRM Online: Utilizing an affirmative cognitive-behavioural digital intervention to improve mental health, access and engagement among LGBTQA+ youth and young adults
Craig, S. L., Leung, V., Pascoe, R., Pang, N., Iacono, G., Austin, A. & Dillon, F. (2021). AFFIRM Online: Utilizing an affirmative cognitive-behavioural digital intervention to improve mental health, access and engagement among LGBTQA+ youth and young adults. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, 1541, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041541
Highlights
Background
Digital mental health interventions may enable access to care for LGBTQA+ youth who face significant threats to their wellbeing.
Study Description
This study describes the preliminary efficacy of AFFIRM Online, an eight-session manualised affirmative cognitive behavioural group intervention delivered synchronously
Participants (Mage = 21.17; SDage = 4.52) had a range of sexual (e.g., queer, lesbian, pansexual) and gender (e.g., non-binary, transgender, cisgender woman) identities
Key Findings
Compared to a waitlist control (n = 50), AFFIRM Online participants (n = 46) experienced significantly:
(1) Reduced depression
(2) Improved appraisal of stress as a challenge
(3) Improved sense of having the resources to meet those challenges
(4) Improved active coping
(5) Improved emotional support
(6) Improved instrumental support
(7) Improved positive framing
(8) Improved planning
Participants reported high acceptability.
Conclusions
This study highlights the potential of digital interventions to impact LGBTQA+ youth mental health
We explored the feasibility of digital mental health to support access and engagement of youth with a range of identities and needs (e.g., pandemic, lack of transportation, rural locations)
