80 Participants Needed

Counseling for Minority Stress

(MST Trial)

NB
Overseen ByNicholas Borgogna (Assistant Professor), PhD
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Counseling for Minority Stress?

Research shows that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can help improve mental health by reducing anxiety and depression and enhancing quality of life. It has been effective in various settings, including for adolescents and patients with heart conditions, suggesting it may also be beneficial for addressing minority stress.12345

How is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) unique compared to other treatments for minority stress?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is unique because it focuses on helping individuals accept their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting them, and encourages them to live in accordance with their values, which can be particularly beneficial for managing minority stress.36789

What is the purpose of this trial?

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer+ (LGBTQ+) individuals experience a breadth of mental health disparities. Reducing these disparities is an area of key psychological research. Minority stress is theorized to be an underlying source of the disparities (Meyer, 2003). Minority stress can be conceptualized as the internalized stigma that results from experiences of social marginalization. By reducing minority stress, it is hypothesized that generalized mental illness indicators might be reduced and indicators of wellbeing increased.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for non-heterosexual LGBTQ+ individuals who are not currently dealing with a recent suicide attempt, eating disorder, narcotics use within the past 3 months, self-injury within the past 6 months, or any current or historical psychosis.

Inclusion Criteria

I identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Exclusion Criteria

Suicide attempt within the past 12 months
Narcotics use within the past 3 months
Current eating disorder
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Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks
1 visit (virtual)

Treatment

Participants receive up to 16 sessions of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) delivered by Mr. Whittington under the supervision of Dr. Borgogna

16 weeks
16 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are invited to complete a survey at a 1 month follow-up to assess mental health and minority stress measures

4 weeks
1 visit (virtual)

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Trial Overview The study tests Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as a treatment to reduce minority stress among LGBTQ+ people. The goal is to see if ACT can lower mental health issues and improve overall wellbeing by addressing internalized stigma from social marginalization.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Treatment GroupExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants receiving acceptance and commitment therapy
Group II: Treatment as usualActive Control1 Intervention
Unstructured counseling intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1,677
Recruited
2,458,000+

Findings from Research

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can be effectively delivered by non-therapists, such as healthcare workers and teachers, providing a cost-efficient way to improve mental health care access for underserved populations.
The systematic review identified 19 unique ACT-informed interventions that showed positive outcomes, including increased pain tolerance, improved acceptance, and reduced psychological distress, indicating that these interventions can effectively enhance psychological flexibility and health behaviors.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Informed Behavioral Health Interventions Delivered by Non-Mental Health Professionals: A Systematic Review.Arnold, T., Haubrick, KK., Klasko-Foster, LB., et al.[2023]
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) showed significant improvements in global mental health, depression, cognitive fusion, and values in complex clients treated by both psychologists and non-psychologists in a National Health Service setting.
The positive effects of ACT were partially maintained at a 3-month follow-up, indicating its potential long-term benefits, and outcomes were similar regardless of the therapist's professional background.
Development and Evaluation of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Delivered by Psychologists and Non-Psychologists in an NHS Community Adult Mental Health Service: a Preliminary Analysis.Richardson, T., Bell, L., Bolderston, H., et al.[2018]
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is designed to help individuals reduce emotional avoidance and enhance their ability to change behaviors, making it a valuable psychotherapy approach.
The techniques used in ACT are grounded in behavioral analysis, providing a structured way to address emotional challenges and promote psychological flexibility in adult outpatient settings.
Acceptance and commitment therapy: Altering the verbal support for experiential avoidance.Hayes, SC., Wilson, KG.[2022]

References

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Informed Behavioral Health Interventions Delivered by Non-Mental Health Professionals: A Systematic Review. [2023]
Development and Evaluation of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Delivered by Psychologists and Non-Psychologists in an NHS Community Adult Mental Health Service: a Preliminary Analysis. [2018]
Acceptance and commitment therapy: Altering the verbal support for experiential avoidance. [2022]
The effect of counseling based on acceptance and commitment therapy on anxiety, depression, and quality of life among female adolescent students. [2022]
Effects of acceptance and commitment therapy on self-management skills and psychological resilience of young and middle-aged patients underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary intervention for primary myocardial infarction: a pilot study. [2022]
Training in and implementation of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for depression in the Veterans Health Administration: therapist and patient outcomes. [2022]
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): advances and applications with children, adolescents, and families. [2011]
Acceptance and commitment therapy - pathways for general practitioners. [2012]
[Acceptance and commitment therapy]. [2019]
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