Out & Online effectiveness of a tailored online multi-symptom mental health and wellbeing program for same-sex attracted young adults: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
- Authors: Abbott, Jo-Anne , Klein, Britt , McLaren, Suzanne , Austin, David , Molloy, Mari , Meyer, Denny , McLeod, Bronte
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Trials Vol. 15, no. 1 (2014), p. 1-19
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- Description: Background: Same-sex attracted young adults have been found to experience higher rates of mental health problems and greater difficulties in accessing specialist mental health care services compared to their heterosexual peers. Internet-based mental health interventions have the potential to be more engaging and accessible to young adults compared to those delivered face-to-face. However, they are rarely inclusive of lesbian women and gay men. Thus, the current study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an online mental health and wellbeing program, Out & Online (http://www.outandonline.org.au), in comparison to a wait-list control group, for reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms in same-sex attracted young adults aged between 18 and 25 years. Methods/Design: We are recruiting, through media and community organisations, 200 same-sex attracted young adults with anxiety and/or depressive symptoms and mild to moderate psychological distress (Kessler-10 score between 16 to 21). Participants will be randomly allocated to the intervention (the online program) or the wait-list control group based on a permuted blocked randomisation method to allow for stratification by gender. Participants in the intervention group will receive a tailored program for up to three types of mental health difficulties simultaneously. The primary outcome of anxiety and/or depressive symptoms, and secondary outcomes related to psychological distress, wellbeing and health behaviour will be measured at pre-intervention (0 week), post-intervention (8 weeks) and at a 3-month follow-up (20 weeks). Discussion: This online mental health and wellbeing program will be one of the first online interventions to be designed specifically to be relevant for same-sex attracted individuals. If the program is found to be effective it will improve access to specialist same-sex attracted-relevant mental health services for young adults and will facilitate wellbeing outcomes for these individuals. This program will also be a significant development in the delivery of tailored interventions that target multiple types of mental health conditions simultaneously. © 2014 Abbott et al.
Internalized homonegativity, sense of belonging, and depressive symptoms among Australian gay men
- Authors: Davidson, Kenneth , McLaren, Suzanne , Jenkins, Megan , Corboy, Denise , Gibbs, Petah , Molloy, Mari
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Homosexuality Vol. 64, no. 4 (2017), p. 450-465
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- Description: Internalized homonegativity has been directly linked to depression among gay men. The aim of the study was to test whether internalized homonegativity is indirectly related to depressive symptoms via a sense of belonging to the broad gay community, gay groups, gay friends, and the general community. A sample of 246 self-identified Australian gay men, aged 18–82 years, completed the Internalized Homophobia Scale, the Psychological subscale of the Sense of Belonging Instrument, the Sense of Belonging Within Gay Communities Scale, and the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Results indicated that the final model was an excellent fit to the data. Internalized homonegativity was indirectly related to depressive symptoms via sense of belonging to gay groups, with gay friends, and to the general community. Interventions aimed at reducing internalized homonegativity among gay men have the potential to enhance sense of belonging and, in turn, decrease depressive symptoms. © 2017 Taylor & Francis.
Young, gay and suicidal : Who cares?
- Authors: Molloy, Mari , McLaren, Suzanne , McLachlan, Angus
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Psychology Vol. 55, no. (2003), p. 198
- Full Text: false
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The attitudes of Australian heterosexual university students towards the suicide of gay, lesbian and heterosexual peers
- Authors: Molloy, Mari , McLaren, Suzanne
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Gay and Lesbian Issues in Education Vol. 2, no. 2 (2004), p. 27-51
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- Description: This study sought to examine the attitudes of heterosexual university students to peer suicide when that peer was gay, lesbian, or heterosexual. University students (n = 206) completed several questionnaires, including The Suicide Attitude Vignette Experience. Results indicated that the suicide act was seen as more justified, acceptable, and necessary when the adolescent was gay or lesbian. Further, gay and lesbian youth suicide victims were shown significantly less empathy than heterosexual suicide victims. Participants' level of homophobia was found to be a significant predictor of attitudes toward gay and lesbian youth suicide. Results indicate that the peer group of gay and lesbian youth is unsupportive of their sexual orientation, and these attitudes may be an additional risk factor for gay and lesbian youth suicide.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003000950