Craig, S.L.; Leung, V.W.Y.; Pascoe, R.; Pang, N.; Iacono, G.; Austin, A.; Dillon, F. AFFIRM Online: Utilising an Affirmative Cognitive–Behavioural Digital Intervention to Improve Mental Health, Access, and Engagement among LGBTQA+ Youth and Young Adults. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 1541. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041541
Researchers developed a digital health intervention to promote the mental wellbeing of youth and young adults who identify as LGBTQA+ based on an in-person version program which has demonstrated effectiveness of improving mental health outcomes. When the COVID-19 pandemic started and there were safety risks associated with in-person meetings, the AFFIRM program was adapted to an online digital platform. AFFIRM Online is an 8-week program that delivers cognitive behavioral therapy in group sessions via Zoom web conferencing. 78 participants who self-identify as LGBTQA+ and are 14-29 years old joined the AFFIRM Online study. The online sessions were facilitated by two trained clinicians and included topics such as minority stress, thought stopping, coping skills, goal setting, social support, and self-care. Participants were assessed for depression symptoms, coping, stress appraisal, hope, and acceptability of the intervention. Compared to the waitlist control group, AFFIRM Online participants reported statistically significant lower levels of depression and improved coping skills and stress appraisal. Participants also reported high acceptability of AFFIRM online. Findings indicate that online group therapy can be an effective way to promote mental health for LGBTQA+ youth.