Reducing LGBTQ+ adolescent mental health inequalities: A realist review of school-based interventions

McDermott, Elizabeth, Kaley, Alex ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1147-1604, Kaner, Eileen, Limmer, Mark, McGovern, Ruth, McNulty, Felix, Nelson, Rosie, Geijer-Simpson, Emma and Spencer, Liam (2024) Reducing LGBTQ+ adolescent mental health inequalities: A realist review of school-based interventions. Journal of Mental Health, 33 (6). pp. 768-778. ISSN 0963-8237

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Abstract

Background: LGBTQ+ young people have elevated rates of poor mental health in comparison to their cisgender heterosexual peers. School environment is a key risk factor and consistently associated with negative mental health outcomes for LGBTQ+ adolescents. Aims: To examine how, why, for whom and in what context school-based interventions prevent or reduce mental health problems in LGBTQ+ adolescents. Methods: A realist review methodology was utilised and focused on all types of school-based interventions and study designs. A Youth Advisory Group were part of the research team. Multiple search strategies were used to locate relevant evidence. Studies were subject to inclusion criteria and quality appraisal, and included studies were synthesised to produce a programme theory. Seventeen studies were included in the review. Results: Eight intervention components were necessary to address LGBTQ+ pupils mental health: affirmative visual displays; external signposting to LGBTQ+ support; stand-alone input; school-based LGBTQ support groups; curriculum-based delivery; staff training; inclusion policies; trusted adult. Few school-based interventions for this population group were identified. Conclusions: The programme theory indicates that “to work” school-based interventions must have a “whole-school” approach that addresses specifically the dominant cis-heteronormative school environment and hence the marginalisation, silence, and victimisation that LGBTQ+ pupils can experience.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Funding Information: This work was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) School for Public Health Research (SPHR) Public Mental Health programme [Funding Reference: PD-SPH-2015]. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NIHR or SPHR.
Uncontrolled Keywords: adolescent,lgbtq+,mental health,schools,youth,psychiatry and mental health,sdg 3 - good health and well-being ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2700/2738
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Sociology
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Depositing User: LivePure Connector
Date Deposited: 03 Jan 2025 01:04
Last Modified: 09 Jan 2025 01:02
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/98072
DOI: 10.1080/09638237.2023.2245894

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