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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2016 Jul;84(7):565-70.
doi: 10.1037/ccp0000113. Epub 2016 Apr 21.

The moderating role of internalized homonegativity on the efficacy of LGB-affirmative psychotherapy: Results from a randomized controlled trial with young adult gay and bisexual men

Brett M Millar  1 , Katie Wang  2 , John E Pachankis  3
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

The moderating role of internalized homonegativity on the efficacy of LGB-affirmative psychotherapy: Results from a randomized controlled trial with young adult gay and bisexual men

Brett M Millar et al. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2016 Jul.

Abstract

Objective: As empirical evidence for the effectiveness of LGB-affirmative psychotherapy emerges, the question of whether some clients may derive greater benefit than others becomes important. The current study investigated whether internalized homonegativity (IH), both explicit and implicit, moderated the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral intervention designed to improve the mental and sexual health of young gay and bisexual men through facilitating minority stress coping.

Method: At baseline, young gay and bisexual men (n = 54) experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety completed measures of explicit and implicit IH. Participants also completed self-reports of mental health and an interviewer-based assessment of past-90-day risk behavior before and after treatment in a 10-session individual LGB-affirmative intervention.

Results: Moderation analyses showed that participants higher in implicit IH experienced greater reductions in depression (b = -2.99, p = .031, 95% confidence interval [CI] [-5.69, -0.29]), anxiety (b = -3.56, p = .014, 95% CI [-6.35, -0.76]), and past-90-day condomless anal sex with casual partners (b = -1.29, p = .028, 95% CI [-2.44, -0.14]). Participants higher in explicit IH experienced greater reductions in past-90-day heavy drinking (b = -0.42, p = .003, 95% CI [-0.69, -0.15]).

Conclusions: These findings indicate that greater gains from LGB-affirmative psychotherapy were observed in gay and bisexual men who were higher in IH, particularly when measured implicitly. As the first study that examines factors moderating the efficacy of LGB-affirmative psychotherapy, the present research has important implications for intervention development and highlights the value of incorporating implicit measures into clinical work. (PsycINFO Database Record

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Treatment change in depression (ODSIS) for high and low implicit internalized homonegativity (IH)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Treatment change in anxiety (OASIS) for high and low implicit internalized homonegativity (IH)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Treatment change in past-90-day condomless anal sex for high and low implicit internalized homonegativity (IH)
Figure 4
Figure 4
Treatment change in past-90-day heavy drinking for high and low explicit internalized homonegativity (IH)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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