Meeting the Needs of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth: Formative Research on Potential Digital Health Interventions

• Published in: Journal of adolescent health 2017-05, Vol.60 (5), p.541-548
• Main Authors: Steinke, Jessica, M.P.H, Root-Bowman, Meredith, M.P.A., M.P.H, Estabrook, Sherry, M.A, Levine, Deborah S., M.S.W., M.A.T, Kantor, Leslie M., Ph.D., M.P.H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; At risk youth; Belonging; Cisgender; Clinical outcomes; Digital; Discrimination; Early intervention; Female; Focus Groups; Formative research; Gender; Gender identity; Health behavior; Health education; Health needs; Health research; Health status; Heterosexuality; HIV; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Identity formation; Information; Information Seeking Behavior; Internet; Intervention; Interventions; LGBTQ; LGBTQ studies; Male; Mental health; Mental health services; Minority groups; Online; Pediatrics; Risk behavior; Risk Factors; Sex education; Sexual and Gender Minorities - psychology; Sexual behavior; Sexual Behavior - psychology; Sexual health; Sexuality; Social isolation; Social Media; Social Stigma; Stigma; Well being; Young Adult; Youth
• ISSN: 1054-139X; 1879-1972
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.11.023

Abstract Purpose Sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) have unique risk factors and worse health outcomes than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. SGMY's significant online activity represents an opportunity for digital interventions. To help meet the sex education and health needs of SGMY and to understand what they consider important, formative research was conducted to guide and inform the development of new digital health interventions. Methods Semistructured interviews, in-person focus groups, and online focus groups were conducted with 92 youths (aged 15–19 years) who self-identify as nonheterosexual, noncisgender, questioning, and/or have engaged in same-sex sexual behavior. Data were coded and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Results Thematic analysis revealed that SGMYs are often driven online by experiences of isolation, stigmatization, and lack of information and are looking for a supportive, validating community and relevant, accurate information. Gender minority youths felt that they faced a larger number of and more extreme incidences of discrimination than sexual minority youths. Most youths described interpersonal discrimination as having substantial negative effects on their mental health. Conclusions Any digital intervention for SGMY should focus on mental health and well-being holistically rather than solely on risk behaviors, such as preventing HIV. Interventions should include opportunities for interpersonal connection, foster a sense of belonging, and provide accurate information about sexuality and gender to help facilitate positive identity development. Content and delivery of digital interventions should appeal to diverse sexualities, genders, and other intersecting identities held by SGMY to avoid further alienation.