Evidence map›Paper›PMID 30578194›Full record

ArticleJMIR serious games2018

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

Mathijs Lucassen, Rajvinder Samra, Ioanna Iacovides, Theresa Fleming, Matthew Shepherd, Karolina Stasiak, Louise Wallace

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in JMIR serious games, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 36 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
36citing papers in PubMed, 3 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

36 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

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  19. Coping Strategies to Enhance the Mental Wellbeing of Sexual and Gender Minority Youths: A Scoping Review.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Mathijs LucassenSchool of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6958-3468
Rajvinder SamraSchool of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5255-4238
Ioanna IacovidesFaculty of Sciences, University of York, York, United Kingdom.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9674-8440
Theresa FlemingFaculty of Health, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5174-9359
Matthew ShepherdFaculty of Education and Social Work, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4238-7541
Karolina StasiakFaculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1153-3123
Louise WallaceSchool of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3770-0580

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundLesbian, 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.

objectiveThis 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.

methodsA 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.

resultsLGBT+ 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.

conclusionsLGBT+ 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.

Indexed as

adolescentcomputer gamescomputerized CBTdepressione-therapyLGBTmental healthpsychotherapysexualitytransgender

Identifiers

PMID30578194
PMCPMC6320432

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.