Reducing behavioral health symptoms by addressing minority stressors in LGBTQ adolescents: a randomized controlled trial of Proud & Empowered.

Background: Minority stress may lead to poorer mental health for sexual and gender minority adolescents, yet no interventions have been tested through an RCT to address these concerns.

Methods: We report on an RCT of an intervention-Proud & Empowered-with four high schools. Measures assess the intervention's impact on mental health symptoms.

The Development of Proud & Empowered: An Intervention for Promoting LGBTQ Adolescent Mental Health.

Sexual and gender minority adolescents (SGMA) experience higher rates of internalizing psychopathology, including depression, anxiety, self-harm, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The primary explanation for these mental health disparities is minority stress theory, which suggests that discrimination, violence, and victimization are key drivers of chronic minority stress and place SGMA at higher risk of mental health concerns. To help address these concerns, the authors undertook a nearly 8-year process of developing Proud & Empowered, a school-based intervention to help SGMA cope with minority stress experiences.