ArticleJMIR formative research2026
Engaging LGBTQ+ Youth in Human-Centered Design of a Digital Health Intervention via Discord: Implementation Case Study.
Article in JMIR formative research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
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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.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Coproduction Without Youth? Closing the Participation Gap in Digital Mental Health Research.JMIR mental health · 2026Article
- Evaluating a Multimedia Messaging Intervention to Increase Adolescent HIV Testing: Protocol for a Hybrid Type 1 Effectiveness Implementation Study.JMIR research protocols · 2026Article
- Enhancing LGBTQ+ Inclusivity in an AI-Powered Sexual Health Chatbot: User-Centered Design Approach Through a Nonprofit and Academic Partnership.Journal of medical Internet research · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundLesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning, plus (LGBTQ+) youth experience significant health challenges relative to their peers, including higher rates of HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and mental health symptoms, partly due to minority stressors. Digital health interventions hold promise for addressing these issues, but their effectiveness hinges on human-centered co-design that ensures relevance and engagement.
objectiveThis study aimed to examine the use of Discord as a platform for conducting human-centered design (HCD) activities to adapt a digital text-based intervention designed to improve HIV testing rates among LGBTQ+ youth.
methodsWe recruited 21 LGBTQ+ youth (aged 13-18 years) in the United States via social media and participant registries, oversampling minoritized gender, racial, and ethnic identities to ensure diverse representation. Over 9 months, participants engaged in structured HCD activities on a private Discord server, including polls, open-ended discussions, and interactive feedback tasks. Design insights were collected iteratively and used to refine the intervention in real time. We also surveyed participants to examine the acceptability of Discord as a tool for hosting the HCD process.
resultsWe identified best practices for integrating HCD methods within Discord, including cocreating the server environment with participants and enabling real-time iteration of intervention components based on youth input. The privacy of the Discord server supported psychological safety; facilitated open and effective communication between participants and the research team; and fostered an informal, familiar atmosphere.
conclusionsDiscord provides an effective and acceptable environment for conducting HCD processes in the design of digital health interventions. Its structural features, including anonymity, accessibility, and community-driven interaction, facilitated meaningful youth engagement in co-design activities. These insights offer a model for leveraging social media platforms to support participatory intervention development for LGBTQ+ populations.
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Registered trials
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