+Proud: A mobile application to empower lgbtq+ youth and their family

Abstract

LGBTQ+ people are anywhere from 1.5 to 4 times more likely than heterosexual people to report depression, anxiety, suicidal behaviors, substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behaviors, homelessness, and victimization. Objective The purpose is to describe the development of a mobile application for LGBTQ youth and their family. This article is part of a research program intended to equip LGBTQ+ youth and their families with technological tools to help them foster adaptive strategies in the face of stigma. LGBTQ+ youth face unique stressors both publicly (e.g. victimization) as well as personally (e.g. identity development and “coming out” process). Method We build upon Isabelle Ouellet-Morin’s team +Fort: Stronger than Bullying © mobile application designed to reduce victimization among youth. We will create a new app called +Fièr/+Proud, to be designed and piloted in collaboration with LGBTQ+ participants ages 13-25 and their families. Impact Our hope is to bring LGBTQ+ youth together nationally and internationally to explore health promoting coping strategies, learn from custom training modules, share their unique experiences, and help inform parents of the experiences that LGBTQ+ people often face and fight in silence.