Family Support Program for LGBTQ+ Teens

Overseen By Heather Littleton, PhD

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

Disqualifiers: College student, Suicidality, Psychotic symptoms, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 10

Duration: 7 weeks

160 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores an online group program called the Healthy Families Bright Futures program, designed for LGBTQ+ teens and their caregivers. The researchers aim to determine if the program is helpful and practical, and whether it can positively impact areas such as alcohol use, dating violence, and communication skills for teens, as well as parenting skills for caregivers. Participants will join weekly one-hour online group sessions over seven weeks. The trial is suitable for LGBTQ+ teens who have recently been in a relationship and have a caregiver willing to participate. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance support for LGBTQ+ teens and their families.

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 prior data suggests that the Healthy Families Bright Futures program is safe for LGBTQ+ teens and their caregivers?

Research has shown that the Healthy Families Bright Futures program is still under study to understand its effects. This online group program emphasizes support and communication, not medication or medical equipment, thus avoiding the safety concerns associated with drug treatments.

The program provides a safe space for LGBTQ+ teens and their caregivers, aiming to address issues like alcohol use and healthy communication. To date, no harmful effects have been reported from participating in this program. It focuses on learning and support rather than activities that could pose physical risks. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Healthy Families Bright Futures Program because it offers a new approach to supporting LGBTQ+ teens by involving family support as a key component. Unlike traditional therapy or medication options, which often focus directly on the individual, this program emphasizes improving family dynamics and communication. This holistic method aims to create a supportive environment at home, which can significantly contribute to the mental and emotional well-being of LGBTQ+ teens. By focusing on family involvement, the program has the potential to foster long-term positive changes and reduce the risk of mental health issues that are prevalent in this demographic.

What evidence suggests that the Healthy Families Bright Futures Program is effective for LGBTQ+ teens?

Research has shown that the Healthy Families Bright Futures Program, which participants in this trial may receive, can improve communication and relationships between LGBTQ+ teens and their caregivers. Studies have found that programs like this help teens feel accepted in their LGBTQ+ identities and empower them to make healthy choices. Early results suggest the program may lower risks related to alcohol use and dating violence by boosting teens' confidence in refusing alcohol and enhancing their communication skills. For caregivers, the program aims to increase their confidence and ability in parenting. Overall, the program is designed to help both teens and their families create a more supportive and safe environment. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Heather Littleton, PhD

Principal Investigator

UCCS

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for LGBTQ+ teens and their caregivers. It's designed to see if an online program can help with issues like dating violence and alcohol use. Teens must identify as LGBTQ+, but there are no specific exclusion criteria provided.

Inclusion Criteria

Current residence in United States

I identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community or am questioning my identity.

I can complete the required program and assessments.

Exclusion Criteria

Current enrollment as a college student

Current suicidality

Current symptoms of serious mental illness

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in a one-hour weekly online group session for seven weeks, with separate groups for teens and caregivers.

7 weeks

7 online sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for program efficacy and outcomes at immediate post-test and 3-month follow-up.

3 months

Assessments at post-intervention and 3-month follow-up

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Healthy Families Bright Futures Program

Trial Overview

The Healthy Families Bright Futures Program, an online group session lasting one hour per week for seven weeks, is being tested. Separate groups for teens and caregivers aim to improve behaviors related to preventing dating violence and managing alcohol consumption among LGBTQ+ youth.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Healthy Families Bright Futures Program Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This arm will complete the intervention. Assessments will occur at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and three month follow up.

Group II: Waitlist Active Control 1 Intervention

Waitlist control. This arm will complete assessments on the same schedule as the experimental condition.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

Lead Sponsor

Trials

20

Recruited

5,500+

University of Nebraska Lincoln

Collaborator

Trials

40

Recruited

13,200+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The We Are Family intervention effectively engaged 118 Black and Latinx sexual minority youth, with a high retention rate of 94% at the 6-month follow-up, demonstrating its feasibility and acceptability.

While modest improvements in HIV-related health behaviors were observed, such as a decrease in condomless anal intercourse and increased HIV testing among participants, the intervention shows promise for enhancing protective health behaviors in this high-risk population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

We are Family: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study of an HIV Prevention Intervention With the House Ball and Gay Family Communities. Arnold, EA., Saberi, P., Wong, JO., et al.[2023]

The Family Journey Assessment (FJA) effectively tracks the progress of family members of children with mental health challenges, showing significant improvements in self-advocacy and coping skills based on analyses of 436 assessments.

The FJA provides a structured way to measure the impact of peer-to-peer family support services, indicating its potential to enhance the quality and accountability of these programs for families in need.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Tracking progress in peer-delivered family-to-family support. Anthony, BJ., Serkin, C., Kahn, N., et al.[2020]

Timely access to appropriate health care from the prenatal period is crucial for optimizing the health of children and young adults, supported by legislation like the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment standard in Medicaid.

The 2017 Bright Futures guidelines provide updated recommendations for preventive care services for children and adolescents, emphasizing the need for uniform health insurance benefits across public and private payers to overcome existing barriers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Scope of Health Care Benefits for Neonates, Infants, Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults Through Age 26. Hudak, ML.[2022]

A study involving 1,045 LGBTQ youth aged 15-21 found that participation in LGBTQ community-based organizations is linked to better mental health and lower substance use, highlighting their potential as valuable resources for youth health promotion.

Participants in these organizations were more likely to be assigned male at birth, transgender, youth of color, and from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, indicating that these groups may particularly benefit from community support.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

LGBTQ Youth-Serving Community-Based Organizations: Who Participates and What Difference Does it Make? Fish, JN., Moody, RL., Grossman, AH., et al.[2023]

Familias con Orgullo is a newly developed family-based intervention aimed at reducing substance use, risky sexual behavior, and depressive symptoms among Latinx sexual minority youth (LSMY), based on qualitative feedback from 24 participants (12 parents and 12 LSMY).

The intervention emphasizes the importance of a safe communication space, parental acceptance, and culturally relevant content, leading to positive feedback from families regarding improved relationships and increased LGBTQ knowledge.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Development of a family-based preventive intervention for Latinx sexual minority youth and their parents. Lozano, A., Estrada, Y., Tapia, MI., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 381 families with 11- to 12-year-old children, higher quality implementation of the Strengthening Families Program (SFP) was linked to greater parent satisfaction, indicating that program fidelity is crucial for effective family engagement.

Interestingly, while higher adherence to the program's activities improved youth satisfaction, it was associated with lower satisfaction among parents, suggesting a challenge in balancing structured activities with opportunities for parent discussion and support.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementation fidelity in adolescent family-based prevention programs: relationship to family engagement. Byrnes, HF., Miller, BA., Aalborg, AE., et al.[2022]

The study evaluated the effectiveness of the Familias Unidas family-based intervention on reducing condomless sex among Hispanic adolescents with same-gender sexual behaviors, finding a significant reduction compared to a control group.

While Familias Unidas did not affect substance use, it was particularly effective in improving condom use among adolescents with prior risk factors, suggesting the need for tailored interventions for this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of a Family-Based Intervention for HIV Prevention with Hispanic Adolescents with Same Gender Sexual Behaviors. Ocasio, MA., Lozano, A., Lee, TK., et al.[2023]

Participation in the Hatch Youth drop-in center for 6 months or more significantly increased GLBT youth's social connections outside of school and their engagement with the broader GLBT community, which is linked to improved self-esteem.

Higher self-esteem among participants was associated with safer sexual practices and reduced street drug use, highlighting the importance of social support in promoting healthier behaviors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exploratory Analyses of Risk Behaviors Among GLBT Youth Attending a Drop-In Center. Wilkerson, JM., Lawler, SM., Romijnders, KA., et al.[2022]

Healthy Families America (HFA) programs have shown consistent positive impacts on parenting outcomes, such as improved parenting attitudes, based on a review of 33 evaluations, including 15 studies with control groups.

Mixed results in areas like child health and development suggest that further research is needed to understand the factors influencing outcomes, with site implementation quality and family risk levels being key considerations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Healthy Families America effectiveness: a comprehensive review of outcomes. Harding, K., Galano, J., Martin, J., et al.[2019]

Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) youth face significant health disparities, but strong family relationships can positively influence their health and well-being, as shown in a systematic review of 16 studies.

The review identified that qualities like coping ability, appreciation, and positive communication in family relationships are linked to better health outcomes for TGD youth, while other important aspects like commitment and spiritual well-being need more research attention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Family Relationships and the Health and Well-Being of Transgender and Gender-Diverse Youth: A Critical Review. Brown, C., Porta, CM., Eisenberg, ME., et al.[2021]

Bright Futures is a national initiative aimed at enhancing the health and well-being of children across the United States, providing a comprehensive framework for pediatric care.

The program offers various resources and strategies that pediatric nurses can implement in different healthcare settings to support children's health and engage families effectively.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Every child deserves Bright Futures. Ferguson, SL.[2004]

A significant number of children with special health care needs and their families experience unmet mental health care needs, particularly among those who are poor, uninsured, or lack a usual source of care.

Children with more severe health issues or emotional, developmental, or behavioral conditions are more likely to report unmet mental health needs, indicating a need for comprehensive policies that address both healthcare access and socioeconomic factors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mental health care services for children with special health care needs and their family members: prevalence and correlates of unmet needs. Ganz, ML., Tendulkar, SA.[2018]

LGBTQ youth face significant health inequities compared to their cisgender heterosexual peers, highlighting the need for targeted research and interventions.

Family dynamics play a crucial role in the health of LGBTQ youth, but there is a lack of comprehensive understanding about how these family factors specifically influence their well-being.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Influence of Families on LGBTQ Youth Health: A Call to Action for Innovation in Research and Intervention Development. Newcomb, ME., LaSala, MC., Bouris, A., et al.[2021]

The study analyzed 116 GLBTQ community-based programs in the U.S. and found that these programs offer essential services that significantly support the mental and physical health of GLBTQ youth.

Peer social support programs are particularly beneficial in addressing the psychological and social distress faced by GLBTQ youth due to oppression, highlighting the importance of community resources.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Analysis of GLBTQ youth community-based programs in the United States. Allen, KD., Hammack, PL., Himes, HL.[2015]

Children with chronic conditions can achieve important health outcomes as outlined in the Bright Futures model, which emphasizes a partnership between families and healthcare providers.

Healthcare providers play a crucial role in supporting families by integrating various practice models—developmental, leadership, and changing foci—to provide ongoing guidance throughout the child's life.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Supporting development of children with chronic conditions: from compliance toward shared management. Kieckhefer, GM., Trahms, CM.[2004]

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