The views of lesbian, gay and bisexual youth regarding computerised self-help for depression: An exploratory study

Abstract

Background: Lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) youth with depression are often isolated and face the double stigma of mental ill-health and being non-heterosexual. Computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (cCBT) offers a means of providing these youth with evidence-based self-help that is confidential and can be accessed privately. We created a cCBT resource for youth generally and wished to explore what alterations, if any, might be needed to make it acceptable and relevant to LGB youth. Method: Three focus groups were conducted with LGB young people (56% female, aged 16–27 years) ftom two LGB youth organisations in New Zealand. We used the general inductive approach to: Explore the issues faced by LGB youth; and, their views about prototypes of a cCBT program (SPARK). Results: Participants reported a number of challengesftom living in a homophobic and gender-stereotyped world and they recommended that these be incorporated in a cCBT program addressing depression for LGB youth. Participants were mainly positive about the idea of cCBT and the prototypes of the program; however, they made suggestions to ensure that the program was relevant and appealing to them. Conclusion: Prototypes of a‘generic’ cCBT program did not address all the issues that LGB youth face. It proved feasible to adapt a cCBT program to take this feedback into account, and this led to the creation of Rainbow SPARK. The makers of e-therapy interventions should actively involve and respond to the views of consumers.