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AFFIRM Online: Utilising an Affirmative Cognitive–Behavioural Digital Intervention to Improve Mental Health, Access, and Engagement among LGBTQA+ Youth and Young Adults

Author

Listed:
  • Shelley L. Craig

    (Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1V4, Canada)

  • Vivian W. Y. Leung

    (Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1V4, Canada)

  • Rachael Pascoe

    (Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1V4, Canada)

  • Nelson Pang

    (Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1V4, Canada)

  • Gio Iacono

    (School of Social Work, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA)

  • Ashley Austin

    (Ellen Whiteside-McDonnell School of Social Work, Barry University, Tallahassee, FL 32304, USA)

  • Frank Dillon

    (College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA)

Abstract

Digital mental health interventions may enable access to care for LGBTQA+ youth and young adults that face significant threats to their wellbeing. This study describes the preliminary efficacy of AFFIRM Online, an eight-session manualised affirmative cognitive behavioural group intervention delivered synchronously. Participants (M age = 21.17; SD = 4.52) had a range of sexual (e.g., queer, lesbian, pansexual) and gender (e.g., non-binary, transgender, cisgender woman) identities. Compared to a waitlist control ( n = 50), AFFIRM Online participants ( n = 46) experienced significantly reduced depression ( b = −5.30, p = 0.005, d = 0.60) and improved appraisal of stress as a challenge ( b = 0.51, p = 0.005, d = 0.60) and having the resources to meet those challenges ( b = 0.27, p = 0.059, d = 0.39) as well active coping ( b = 0.36, p = 0.012, d = 0.54), emotional support ( b = 0.38, p = 0.017, d = 0.51), instrumental support ( b = 0.58, p < 0.001, d = 0.77), positive framing ( b = 0.34, p = 0.046, d = 0.42), and planning ( b = 0.41, p = 0.024, d = 0.49). Participants reported high acceptability. This study highlights the potential of digital interventions to impact LGBTQA+ youth mental health and explores 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). Findings have implications for the design and delivery of digital interventions for marginalised youth and young adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Shelley L. Craig & Vivian W. Y. Leung & Rachael Pascoe & Nelson Pang & Gio Iacono & Ashley Austin & Frank Dillon, 2021. "AFFIRM Online: Utilising an Affirmative Cognitive–Behavioural Digital Intervention to Improve Mental Health, Access, and Engagement among LGBTQA+ Youth and Young Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-17, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:1541-:d:494468
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Craig, Shelley L. & Austin, Ashley, 2016. "The AFFIRM open pilot feasibility study: A brief affirmative cognitive behavioral coping skills group intervention for sexual and gender minority youth," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 136-144.
    2. Gavin Andrews & Pim Cuijpers & Michelle G Craske & Peter McEvoy & Nickolai Titov, 2010. "Computer Therapy for the Anxiety and Depressive Disorders Is Effective, Acceptable and Practical Health Care: A Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 5(10), pages 1-6, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Luke Balcombe & Diego De Leo, 2022. "Evaluation of the Use of Digital Mental Health Platforms and Interventions: Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-23, December.

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