Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41653453›Full record

ArticleClinical child psychology and psychiatry2026

"We Want Our Therapist to Talk With Us About Sexuality and Gender Diversity": Qualitative Perspectives of Adolescents and Professionals in Youth Mental Health Care.

Sara Bungener, Anouk Verveen, Thomas Steensma, Annelou de Vries, Arne Popma, Bernadette Hennipman, Anja de Kruif

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Clinical child psychology and psychiatry, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
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.

Sara BungenerCenter of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location VUmc, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0001-7136-8708
Anouk VerveenCenter of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location VUmc, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Thomas SteensmaCenter of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location VUmc, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Annelou de VriesCenter of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location VUmc, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Arne PopmaDepartment of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location VUmc, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Bernadette HennipmanLevvel, Academic Center for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Anja de KruifDepartment of Methodology and Applied Biostatistics, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-1801-0798

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

AimsYouth receiving mental health care often face challenges related to romantic relationships, sexuality, and sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI). Although widely recognized as relevant, these topics are infrequently addressed in youth mental health care. This study explored how youth and mental health professionals experience discussions about sexuality and SOGI in clinical practice.MethodsIn-depth interviews were conducted with 21 youth aged 15-22 years receiving psychiatric care, alongside three focus groups with 20 mental health professionals, at a youth mental health center. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsYouth described romance, sexuality, and identity as a normal part of life and closely linked to their well-being, while mental health difficulties often complicated relationships and identity processes. Professionals reported hesitation in raising these topics due to practical and personal barriers. Cultural and religious contexts shaped experiences, particularly for LGBTQ+ youth. Both groups emphasized the importance of addressing sexual side effects of psychotropic medication.ConclusionThis study highlights a gap between the recognized relevance of sexuality and SOGI and their discussion in everyday practice. Youth want these topics addressed in mental health care conversations. Bridging this gap requires proactive, youth-centered and culturally sensitive communication, supported by training and institutional attention.

Indexed as

Attitude of Health PersonnelGender IdentityMental DisordersMental Health ServicesProfessional-Patient RelationsSexual and Gender MinoritiesSexualityAdolescentFemaleFocus GroupsHumansMaleQualitative ResearchYoung Adultadolescent mental healthclinical communication: sexual abuseLGBTQ+ youthpsychotropic medicationsexualitysexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI)sexual side effects

Identifiers

PMID41653453
PMCPMC12992631

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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.