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. 2022 Feb 1;11(2):e31036.
doi: 10.2196/31036.

Promoting Resilience and Well-being Through Co-design (The PRIDE Project): Protocol for the Development and Preliminary Evaluation of a Prototype Resilience-Based Intervention for Sexual and Gender Minority Youth

Mathijs F G Lucassen  1 , Rajvinder Samra  1 , Katharine A Rimes  2 , Katherine E Brown  3 , Louise M Wallace  1
Affiliations

Promoting Resilience and Well-being Through Co-design (The PRIDE Project): Protocol for the Development and Preliminary Evaluation of a Prototype Resilience-Based Intervention for Sexual and Gender Minority Youth

Mathijs F G Lucassen et al. JMIR Res Protoc. .

Abstract

Background: Sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) are at an increased risk of a range of mental health problems. However, few evidence-informed interventions have been developed specifically to support their mental well-being. Interventions that are evidence-informed for the general population and are fine-tuned specifically with SGMY in mind proffer considerable potential. A particular opportunity lies in the delivery of engaging interventions on the web, where the focus is on enhancing the coping skills and building the resilience of SGMY, in a way that is directly relevant to their experiences. On the basis of earlier work related to an intervention called Rainbow SPARX (Smart, Positive, Active, Realistic, X-factor thoughts), we seek to create a new resource, especially for SGMY in the United Kingdom.

Objective: This project has 3 main objectives. First, together with SGMY as well as key adult experts, we aim to co-design a media-rich evidence-informed web-based SGMY well-being prototype toolkit aimed at those aged between 13 and 19 years. Second, we will explore how the web-based toolkit can be used within public health systems in the United Kingdom by SGMY and potentially other relevant stakeholders. Third, we aim to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the toolkit, which will inform the design of a future effectiveness study.

Methods: The first objective will be met by conducting the following: approximately 10 interviews with SGMY and 15 interviews with adult experts, a scoping review of studies focused on psychosocial coping strategies for SGMY, and co-design workshops with approximately 20 SGMY, which will inform the creation of the prototype toolkit. The second objective will be met by carrying out interviews with approximately 5 selected adult experts and 10 SGMY to explore how the toolkit can be best used and to determine the parameters and user-generated standards for a future effectiveness trial. The final objective will be met with a small-scale process evaluation, using the think out loud methodology, conducted with approximately 10 SGMY.

Results: The study commenced on September 1, 2021, and data gathering for phase 1 began in October 2021.

Conclusions: A considerable body of work has described the issues faced by the SGMY. However, there is a dearth of research seeking to develop interventions for SGMY so that they can thrive. This project aims to co-design such an intervention.

Trial registration: Research Registry Reference researchregistry6815; https://www.researchregistry.com/browse-the-registry#home/registrationdetails/609e81bda4a706001c94b63a/.

International registered report identifier (irrid): PRR1-10.2196/31036.

Keywords: LGBT; adolescent; depression; e-therapy; gender; online; public health; resilience; sexuality; youth.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: SPARX (Smart, Positive, Active, Realistic, X-factor thoughts) and Rainbow SPARX are cited in the manuscript. The intellectual property for SPARX is held by UniServices at The University of Auckland. Any proceeds from licensing or selling SPARX outside of New Zealand will be shared in part with UniServices, The University of Auckland and SPARX's developers (which includes ML).

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Rainbow SPARX (Smart, Positive, Active, Realistic, X-factor thoughts) characters (the female character dressed in red holding a staff and the male character immediately beside her are the avatars).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Landing page for A Support Net with the lead characters Ethan, Lily, Maggie, and Owain depicted.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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