Abstract
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA) youth experience a unique range of psychosocial stressors often culminating in poor mental health outcomes. A systematic review of trials that evaluated psychosocial interventions for LGBTQIA youth aged 12–25 was undertaken to evaluate the effect of treatment components and participant-related variables on treatment outcome. The results suggest that creating safe, accepting places, discussion of shared experiences, and using a cognitive behavioural or attachment-based family therapy framework significantly decreased depression, sexual minority stress, anxiety and drug and alcohol use, and enhanced participant approval. LGBTQIA youth had poorer baseline mental health than non-LGBTQIA youth and experienced greater improvements. Further experimental research is needed to define effective treatment components and relevant individual factors to maximise treatment efficacy.
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EVDPH conceived of the study, participated in the design and coordination of the study, conducted the review and interpretation of the data, and drafted the manuscript; UM was the second reviewer in the full-text review process; JM participated in conceiving the study, its design, coordination and interpretation, and helped draft the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Van Der Pol-Harney, E., McAloon, J. Psychosocial Interventions for Mental Illness among LGBTQIA Youth: A PRISMA-Based Systematic Review. Adolescent Res Rev 4, 149–168 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40894-018-0090-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40894-018-0090-7