%0 Journal Article
%@ 2561-326X
%I JMIR Publications
%V 8
%N 
%P e56198
%T An Internet-Based Intervention to Increase the Ability of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual People to Cope With Adverse Events: Single-Group Feasibility Study
%A Isbășoiu,Andreea Bogdana
%A Sava,Florin Alin
%A Larsen,Torill M B
%A Anderssen,Norman
%A Rotaru,Tudor-Stefan
%A Rusu,Andrei
%A Sălăgean,Nastasia
%A Tulbure,Bogdan Tudor
%+ Department of Psychology, West University of Timisoara, 4 Vasile Parvan Bvd., Timisoara, 300223, Romania, 40 256592270, florin.sava@e-uvt.ro
%K acceptance and commitment therapy
%K anxiety
%K depression
%K PTSD
%K LGBTQ+
%K online interventions
%K transdiagnostic
%K prevention
%D 2024
%7 15.5.2024
%9 Original Paper
%J JMIR Form Res
%G English
%X Background: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people are at higher risk of mental health problems due to widespread hetero- and cisnormativity, including negative public attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community. In addition to combating social exclusion at the societal level, strengthening the coping abilities of young LGBTQ+ people is an important goal. Objective: In this transdiagnostic feasibility study, we tested a 6-week internet intervention program designed to increase the ability of nonclinical LGBTQ+ participants to cope with adverse events in their daily lives. The program was based on acceptance and commitment therapy principles. Methods: The program consists of 6 web-based modules and low-intensity assistance for homework provided by a single care provider asynchronously. The design was a single-group assignment of 15 self-identified LGB community members who agreed to participate in an open trial with a single group (pre- and postintervention design). Results: Before starting the program, participants found the intervention credible and expressed high satisfaction at the end of the intervention. Treatment adherence, operationalized by the percentage of completed homework assignments (32/36, 88%) was also high. When we compared participants’ pre- and postintervention scores, we found a significant decrease in clinical symptoms of depression (Cohen d=0.44, 90% CI 0.09-0.80), social phobia (d=0.39, 90% CI 0.07-0.72), and posttraumatic stress disorder (d=0.30, 90% CI 0.04-0.55). There was also a significant improvement in the level of self-acceptance and behavioral effectiveness (d=0.64, 90% CI 0.28-0.99) and a significant decrease in the tendency to avoid negative internal experiences (d=0.38, 90% CI 0.09-0.66). The level of general anxiety disorder (P=.11; d=0.29, 90% CI –0.10 to 0.68) and alcohol consumption (P=.35; d=–0.06, 90% CI –0.31 to 0.19) were the only 2 outcomes for which the results were not statistically significant. Conclusions: The proposed web-based acceptance and commitment therapy program, designed to help LGBTQ+ participants better manage emotional difficulties and become more resilient, represents a promising therapeutic tool. The program could be further tested with more participants to ensure its efficacy and effectiveness. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05514964; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05514964 
%M 38749024
%R 10.2196/56198
%U https://formative.jmir.org/2024/1/e56198
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/56198
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38749024