Translating Online Positive Psychology Interventions to Sexual and Gender Minorities: A Systematic Review

Sarah A. Job, Stacey L. Williams

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Sexual and gender minorities (SGM) often face worse health outcomes in comparison with their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. Positive psychology interventions (PPIs) have the potential to improve these outcomes. In this article we review 130 articles containing online positive psychology interventions and evaluate them based on effect size, length of follow-up, and sample characteristics. Based on these findings applied to the psychological mediation framework (Hatzenbuehler, 2009), we recommend the following interventions be tested in SGM samples: self-compassion, optimism, love, forgiveness, humor, and spirituality. Future research that tailors existing positive psychology interventions to the lived experiences of SGM individuals could ameliorate health disparities.

Original languageAmerican English
JournalPsychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2020

Keywords

  • LGBT
  • interventions
  • minority stress
  • resilience
  • strengths

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