Gomes Anna, Tsiouris Angeliki, Jung Florian, Klein Laura Rebecca, Kreis Adina, Beutel Manfred E, Strauss Bernhard, Hoy Madita, Zwerenz Rüdiger
Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
Institute of Psychosocial Medicine, Psychotherapy and Psychooncology, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany.
JMIR Form Res. 2025 Sep 12;9:e65834. doi: 10.2196/65834.
Sexual and gender minority individuals experience heightened risks of mental health disorders due to marginalization, discrimination, and inadequacies in health care.
This study aims to identify the needs and expectations concerning an e-mental health intervention designed for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, or have other sexual orientation and gender identities (LGBTQIA+) to reduce somatoform, anxiety and depressive (SAD) symptoms.
A qualitative participative study was conducted, involving semistructured interviews (face-to-face and online) with 10 sexual and gender minority individuals experiencing SAD symptoms. Telephone interviews were conducted with 10 health care professionals (HCPs). This study was part of a participatory project, emphasizing cooperation with the LGBTQIA+ community. Data were analyzed through a deductive-inductive content analysis to derive categories of needs and expectations relevant for the development of an e-mental health intervention.
Participants expressed a strong desire for the intervention to be inclusive, validating, and sensitive to the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ people. Key themes included the need for information on the relationship between being queer and mental health; representation through case stories; psychoeducation; and exercises tailored to address minority stress, identity affirmation, and coping strategies. HCPs emphasized the importance of addressing the coming-out process, managing rejection, fostering self-acceptance, and including content on minority stress and its impact on mental health. Results of both interview groups highlighted the need for direct interaction with therapists or peer support, including both synchronous and asynchronous elements (eg, video calls and chat) based on nonheteronormative, sensitive therapeutic support, for example, avoiding preassumptions, using sensitive language, and reflecting possible trigger points.
This study underscores the need for e-mental health interventions tailored to a queer-sensitive and participatory approach. Interventions should incorporate comprehensive psychoeducation, interactive elements, content reflecting the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals with SAD symptoms, and the possibility to connect and exchange experiences with others facing similar challenges. Engaging with both LGBTQIA+ people and HCPs in the development process is essential to ensure the intervention's relevance, effectiveness, and acceptability.
性取向和性别少数群体由于边缘化、歧视以及医疗保健方面的不足，心理健康障碍风险更高。
本研究旨在确定为女同性恋、男同性恋、双性恋、跨性别者、酷儿或性取向存疑者、双性人、无性恋者或具有其他性取向和性别认同（LGBTQIA+）人群设计的电子心理健康干预措施的需求和期望，以减轻躯体形式、焦虑和抑郁（SAD）症状。
开展了一项定性参与性研究，对10名有SAD症状的性取向和性别少数群体个体进行了半结构化访谈（面对面和在线）。对10名医疗保健专业人员进行了电话访谈。本研究是一个参与性项目的一部分，强调与LGBTQIA+社区的合作。通过演绎-归纳内容分析法对数据进行分析，以得出与电子心理健康干预措施开发相关的需求和期望类别。
参与者强烈希望干预措施具有包容性、能起到验证作用，并能对LGBTQIA+人群面临的独特挑战保持敏感。关键主题包括需要了解酷儿身份与心理健康之间关系的信息；通过案例故事进行呈现；心理教育；以及为应对少数群体压力、身份认同确认和应对策略而量身定制的练习。医疗保健专业人员强调了应对出柜过程、应对拒绝、促进自我接纳以及纳入关于少数群体压力及其对心理健康影响的内容的重要性。两个访谈组的结果都强调了与治疗师或同伴支持进行直接互动的必要性，包括基于非异性恋规范、敏感治疗支持的同步和异步元素（如视频通话和聊天），例如避免预先假设、使用敏感语言以及考虑可能的触发点。
本研究强调了需要采用对酷儿敏感且参与性的方法来定制电子心理健康干预措施。干预措施应纳入全面的心理教育、互动元素、反映有SAD症状的LGBTQIA+个体生活经历的内容，以及与面临类似挑战的其他人建立联系和交流经验的可能性。在开发过程中让LGBTQIA+人群和医疗保健专业人员都参与进来，对于确保干预措施的相关性、有效性和可接受性至关重要。
