Amy Finlay-Jones1, Penelope Strauss2, Yael Perry3, Zoe Waters4, Dylan Gilbey5, Meg-An Windred6, Adrian Murdoch7, Charlotte Pugh8, Jeneva L Ohan9, Ashleigh Lin10. 1. Telethon Kids Institute, PO Box 855, Perth 6872, Australia; School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia. Electronic address: amy.finlay-jones@telethonkids.org.au. 2. Telethon Kids Institute, PO Box 855, Perth 6872, Australia; School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia. Electronic address: Penelope.strauss@telethonkids.org.au. 3. Telethon Kids Institute, PO Box 855, Perth 6872, Australia. Electronic address: yael.perry@telethonkids.org.au. 4. Telethon Kids Institute, PO Box 855, Perth 6872, Australia; School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia. Electronic address: zoe.waters@telethonkids.org.au. 5. Telethon Kids Institute, PO Box 855, Perth 6872, Australia; School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia. Electronic address: ylan.gilbey@telethonkids.org.au. 6. Minus18, 81 Rupert St, Collingwood, VIC 3066, Australia. Electronic address: meg.an@minus18.org.au. 7. Minus18, 81 Rupert St, Collingwood, VIC 3066, Australia. Electronic address: adrian@minus18.org.au. 8. Telethon Kids Institute, PO Box 855, Perth 6872, Australia. Electronic address: charlotte.pugh@minus18.org.au. 9. School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia. Electronic address: jeneva.ohan@uwa.edu.au. 10. Telethon Kids Institute, PO Box 855, Perth 6872, Australia; School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia. Electronic address: Ashleigh.lin@telethonkids.org.au.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:Young adults who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse genders and sexualities (LGBTQIA+) are more likely to experience mental health difficulties and are at significantly elevated risk of substance abuse, self-harm and suicide, relative to their heterosexual, endosex and cisgender peers. There is a need for effective mental health interventions for LGBTQIA+ young adults. Mindful Self-Compassion training is a promising approach; among LGBTQIA+ individuals, self-compassion accounts for more variation in mental health outcomes than bullying, victimization, and adverse childhood experiences combined. Furthermore, LGBTQIA+ individuals with high self-compassion report more positive identity and happiness, less self-stigma, and lower suicidality than those with low self-compassion. METHOD: This paper outlines the rationale and protocol for a single-blind CONSORT-compliant randomised controlled trial, comparing group Mindful Self-Compassion to a delayed-treatment waitlist control group, for improving mental health, decreasing self-criticism and increasing self-compassion in LGBTQIA+ young adults (age 18-25 years). Mindful Self-Compassion training is an 8-week group program that focuses on cultivating self-compassion and mindfulness. While typically delivered as a face-to-face program, the proposed trial will investigate efficacy of the program when provided via videoconferencing. DISCUSSION: Videoconference Mindful Self-Compassion training has the potential to improve the mental health of Australian LGBTQIA+ young adults and provide a possible cost-effective, scalable intervention for this population. The proposed trial will be the first to determine its efficacy for LGBTQIA+ young adults and will provide the first data on the delivery of the program via videoconferencing.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Young adults who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse genders and sexualities (LGBTQIA+) are more likely to experience mental health difficulties and are at significantly elevated risk of substance abuse, self-harm and suicide, relative to their heterosexual, endosex and cisgender peers. There is a need for effective mental health interventions for LGBTQIA+ young adults. Mindful Self-Compassion training is a promising approach; among LGBTQIA+ individuals, self-compassion accounts for more variation in mental health outcomes than bullying, victimization, and adverse childhood experiences combined. Furthermore, LGBTQIA+ individuals with high self-compassion report more positive identity and happiness, less self-stigma, and lower suicidality than those with low self-compassion. METHOD: This paper outlines the rationale and protocol for a single-blind CONSORT-compliant randomised controlled trial, comparing group Mindful Self-Compassion to a delayed-treatment waitlist control group, for improving mental health, decreasing self-criticism and increasing self-compassion in LGBTQIA+ young adults (age 18-25 years). Mindful Self-Compassion training is an 8-week group program that focuses on cultivating self-compassion and mindfulness. While typically delivered as a face-to-face program, the proposed trial will investigate efficacy of the program when provided via videoconferencing. DISCUSSION: Videoconference Mindful Self-Compassion training has the potential to improve the mental health of Australian LGBTQIA+ young adults and provide a possible cost-effective, scalable intervention for this population. The proposed trial will be the first to determine its efficacy for LGBTQIA+ young adults and will provide the first data on the delivery of the program via videoconferencing.