Associations of LGBTQ+ Identities with Acceptability and Response to Online Single-Session Youth Mental Health Interventions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riley McDanal ◽  
Alex Rubin ◽  
Kathryn Fox ◽  
Jessica L. Schleider
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Single Session ◽  
Lgbtq Youth ◽  
Alaskan Native ◽  
Gender Diverse ◽  
Intervention Acceptability ◽  
Mental Health Interventions ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Provider Shortages

Background: A majority of youth with depression and related difficulties never access treatment. Barriers such as stigma, financial costs, and provider shortages contribute to this problem. Single session interventions (SSIs) have been found to benefit youth and help reduce depression symptoms. Since many SSIs are brief and can be accessed online, they may circumvent traditional barriers to accessing treatment, thus supporting wellbeing in individuals otherwise unable to access care. SSIs may be particularly beneficial for LGBTQ+ youth, for whom barriers to treatment are often exacerbated. There is a need to determine whether LGBTQ+ youth respond as positively to SSIs as non-LGBTQ+ youth, or if adaptations are needed prior to widespread dissemination. Methods: We investigated whether changes in helplessness, agency, and self-hate from before to after completing online SSIs differed as a function of LGBTQ+ identity in a sample of 258 youths (N=258, 81.4% female assigned sex, 60.5% LGBTQ+, 47.3% BIPOC). We also quantitatively and qualitatively compared intervention acceptability ratings and feedback across LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ youths. Results: Analyses revealed no significant differences between cisgender LGBQ+, trans and gender diverse, and cisgender heterosexual youths for any intervention outcomes. Likewise, no group differences emerged in intervention acceptability ratings or written program feedback. Limitations: Self-selection bias and underrepresentation of certain populations, such as American Indian and Alaskan Native youths, may limit generalizability of results.Conclusions: Results suggest that online mental health SSIs are equally acceptable and useful to LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ youth alike, even without culturally specific tailoring.

Transgender and Gender Diverse Community Connection, Help-Seeking, and Mental Health Among Black Transgender Women Who Have Survived Violence: A Mixed-Methods Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 107780122110138
Author(s):  
Athena D. F. Sherman ◽  
Sarah Allgood ◽  
Kamila A. Alexander ◽  
Meredith Klepper ◽  
Monique S. Balthazar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Transgender Women ◽  
Gender Diverse ◽  
Diverse Community ◽  
And Gender

Black transgender women are disproportionately affected by violence and poor care-delivery, contributing to poor mental health. Little is known regarding the effect of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) community connection (TCC) on health. This analysis (a) explores relationships between TCC, polyvictimization, and mental health and (b) analyzes how TCC influenced help-seeking following violent experiences among Black transgender women. Mixed-methods data from 19 Black transgender women were analyzed using correlational and thematic content analyses. Findings suggest that TCC is associated with improved help-seeking and mental health among Black transgender women, highlighting a need for longitudinal research to identify approaches for leveraging TCC.

Historical and generational forces in the Iridescent Life Course of bisexual women, men, and gender diverse older adults

Sexualities ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 136346072094731
Author(s):  
Karen Fredriksen Goldsen ◽  
Sarah Jen ◽  
Theresa Clark ◽  
Hyun-Jun Kim ◽  
Hyunzee Jung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Identity Development ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Bisexual Women ◽  
Gender Diverse ◽  
And Gender

Purpose Little is known about the life course of bisexual older adults. This study examines life events and experiences of bisexuals by generation: Pride Generation, born 1950–1964; Silenced Generation, born 1935–1949; and Invisible Generation, born 1934 or earlier, as well as by gender among women, men, and gender diverse older adults. Methods Aging with Pride: National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study is the first national longitudinal study of LGBTQ older adults in the US. We utilize the Iridescent Life Course to examine the life events and life course experiences of bisexual older adults ( N = 216) using 2014 survey data. The Iridescent Life Course frames this study for comparing generational and gender differences in five key areas: identity development; work; kin and social relationships; bias-related experiences; and physical and mental health. Findings The Invisible Generation, the oldest generation, compared to the two younger generations, reports significant risks related to social relationships, the lowest levels of openly disclosing, and fewer bias-related experiences. They also demonstrate important signs of resilience and better mental health. Bisexual men and gender diverse older adults report higher rates of bias-related experiences and fewer social resources than bisexual women. Conclusion Based on the Iridescent Life Course, we document important differences in the heterogeneity and intersectionality in bisexual lives, particularly for those in late life and those gender diverse. It is essential to document the distinct nature of bisexuals’ life course, as it provides both historical and contemporary insights into aging and the reframing of future research.

scholarly journals Changes in Quality of Life and Loneliness Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults Participating in Therapist-Guided Digital Mental Health Intervention

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine E. Gould ◽  
Chalise Carlson ◽  
Ana Jessica Alfaro ◽  
Christina F. Chick ◽  
Martha L. Bruce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Mental Health Interventions

Background: This study aimed to examine the effects of a 12-week multicomponent mobile app-delivered intervention, the Meru Health Program (MHP), on mental health quality of life (QoL) and loneliness among the middle-aged and older adults with depression symptoms.Methods: The eligible participants (M age = 57.06, SD = 11.26 years) were enrolled in the MHP, a therapist-supported mobile intervention. Using a non-randomized pre-post design, change in mental health QoL [WHO QoL Brief (WHOQOL-BREF) psychological health] and loneliness (UCLA Loneliness Scale) from baseline to post-treatment were examined. Time of enrollment [pre- vs. post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)] was included as a between-subjects factor in the repeated measures analyses.Results: Forty-two participants enrolled prior to the COVID-19 pandemic; eight enrolled after the pandemic began. Among the pre-COVID-19 enrollees, increase in mental health QoL, F(1, 38) = 12.61, p = 0.001, η2 = 0.25 and decreases in loneliness emerged, F(1, 38) = 5.42, p = 0.025, η2 = 0.13. The changes in mental health QoL, but not loneliness, held for the combined sample, such as post-COVID-19 enrollees, F(1, 44) = 6.02, p = 0.018, η2 = 0.12. The regression analyses showed that increases in mindfulness were associated with the increased mental health QoL and decreased loneliness.Conclusion: Therapist-supported digital mental health interventions, such as the MHP, have the potential to improve mental health QoL and decrease loneliness among the middle-aged and older adults. The findings for loneliness may not hold during the periods of mandated isolation. Instead, therapists supporting digital interventions may need to tailor their approach to target loneliness.

Mental Health of Transgender Children Who Are Supported in Their Identities

2021 ◽  
pp. 110-117
Author(s):  
Kristina R. Olson ◽  
Lily Durwood ◽  
Madeleine DeMeules ◽  
Katie A. McLaughlin
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Gender Identity ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Transgender Children ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Age Range ◽  
First Time

OBJECTIVE Transgender children who have socially transitioned, that is, who identify as the gender “opposite” their natal sex and are supported to live openly as that gender, are increasingly visible in society, yet we know nothing about their mental health. Previous work with children with gender identity disorder (GID; now termed gender dysphoria) has found remarkably high rates of anxiety and depression in these children. Here we examine, for the first time, mental health in a sample of socially transitioned transgender children. METHODS A community-based national sample of transgender, prepubescent children (n = 73, aged 3–12 years), along with control groups of nontransgender children in the same age range (n = 73 age- and gender-matched community controls; n = 49 sibling of transgender participants), were recruited as part of the TransYouth Project. Parents completed anxiety and depression measures. RESULTS Transgender children showed no elevations in depression and slightly elevated anxiety relative to population averages. They did not differ from the control groups on depression symptoms and had only marginally higher anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Socially transitioned transgender children who are supported in their gender identity have developmentally normative levels of depression and only minimal elevations in anxiety, suggesting that psychopathology is not inevitable within this group. Especially striking is the comparison with reports of children with GID; socially transitioned transgender children have notably lower rates of internalizing psychopathology than previously reported among children with GID living as their natal sex.

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