AFFIRM is an affirmative CBT-based group designed to help LGBTQ+ youth and adults manage stress. AFFIRM supports mental and sexual health, enhances coping skills and validates strengths of its participants.
AFFIRM is an eight session, manualized intervention. It is focused on reducing depression and improving coping and sexual self-efficacy for LGBTTQQ2SA* youth and adults by providing them opportunities to develop identity cognition (self-awareness, identifying risk), mood (recognizing the link between thoughts and feelings), and behaviour (identifying strengths and ways of coping), as well as equipping them with the tools to manage and influence those factors by themselves.
Last reviewed: 2023
Intended Outcomes:
- Reduce depression
- Enhance coping skills
- Identify personal strengths
Continuum of Care:
Universal Prevention
Topic Areas:
Anxiety, Behavioral Health/Mental Health, Depression, Physical Health, Suicide
Ages:
Adult (25+), Teen/Adolescent (13-18), Young Adult (19-24)
Geographic Locations:
Rural, Urban
Delivery Settings:
Any
Cultural Considerations:
Limited research found involving diverse populations
Audience:
LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning, etc.) youth and young adults ages 12-21
Credentials:
A clinical degree such as Master of Social Work (MSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (LCMFT), etc.
Manuals:
Yes
Is Training Required?
Yes, see developer info
Who can provide the required training?
Please contact mail@affirmativeresearch.net for more information on training
Program Costs (materials, training, etc.):
Yes, refer to program website
Program/Practice Website:
https://www.projectyouthaffirm.org
Relevant Published, Peer-Reviewed Research:
Craig, S. L., Austin, A., & Huang, Y. T. (2018). Being humorous and seeking diversion: Promoting healthy coping skills among LGBTQ+ youth. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health, 22(1), 20-35.
Craig, S. L., Leung, V. W., Pascoe, R., Pang, N., Iacono, G., Austin, A., & Dillon, F. (2021). AFFIRM Online: Utilising an affirmative cognitive–behavioural digital intervention to improve mental health, access, and engagement among LGBTQA+ youth and young adults. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(4), 1541.
Craig, S. L., Eaton, A. D., Leung, V. W., Iacono, G., Pang, N., Dillon, F., … & Dobinson, C. (2021). Efficacy of affirmative cognitive behavioural group therapy for sexual and gender minority adolescents and young adults in community settings in Ontario, Canada. BMC psychology, 9(1), 94.
Additional Sources:
https://www.cebc4cw.org/program/affirm-youth
https://www.affirmativeresearch.net/aboutus
WV Rating:
Unable to Be Rated
»WV Ratings Info
Rationale for Rating:
There were a total of 5 studies found. Two were pilot studies which were excluded initially. The other three were all conducted in the same area. Two were pre-post test studies. In one of those studies, the control group was given the pre-test prior to the pandemic. The included participants received the pre-test during the pandemic. The study concluded that the intervention was successful for the included participants; however, the control group had an increase in depression in the post-test. There is a of the validity of the findings due to the pandemic potentially causing further depressive symptoms that were not accounted for in the original timing of the pre-test. There are not enough studies to support this intervention at this time.
Contraindications or Concerns:
None identified
Other Registries/Ratings
The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare:
Promising Research Evidence
Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development:
Not On Registry
Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness:
Not On Registry
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Model Programs Guide:
Not On Registry
Washington State Institute for Public Policy:
Not On Registry