1 - (SYM 102) Using a Community-based Participatory Action Research Methods to Co-develop an Intervention to Improve the Social Connectedness of LGBTQIA+ Transition Age Youth with Serious Mental Health Conditions

Compared to heterosexual and cisgender transition age youth (TAY; ages 14-26), lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, and other sexually and gender diverse (LGBTQIA+) TAY with serious mental health conditions (SMHC) are at increased risk of social avoidance and withdrawal due to facing marginalization, societal stigma, and discrimination. In turn, increased social isolation and avoidance places these individuals at higher risk for more severe mental health symptoms and suicide. Having access to healthy social connections and supports is central to identity formation and mental health during the critical life stage between adolescence and adulthood. However, LGBTQIA+ TAY with SMHC often experience challenges with identifying safe and supportive individuals and communities. Interventions that target aspects of social connectedness for this population, including perceived social support and social integration (i.e., participation in relationships), are critically needed. Community-based participatory action research (CBPAR) methods empower community members to collaborate and offer their expertise to the intervention development process, thereby increasing the acceptability, effectiveness, and uptake of interventions. This presentation will focus on the utilization of CBPAR methods to co-develop a new intervention to increase the social connectedness of LGBTQIA+ TAY (ages 18-26) with SMHC, Flexible Living and Optimal Wellness (FLOW). FLOW is an identity-affirming adaptation of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help LGBTQIA+ TAY with SMHC improve social connectedness (i.e., increase social support and social integration) and enhance mental health. FLOW aims to do this by assisting LGBTQIA+ TAY with SMHC to increase self-acceptance and more adaptively cope with stigma, discrimination, and mental health symptoms. This project will involve the development of the FLOW manual and a pilot trial of FLOW vs. Person-Centered Therapy. This presentation will include a discussion of methods for recruiting, interviewing, and selecting LGBTQIA+ TAY with SMHC to serve as advisory board members for the FLOW study. We will also discuss collaborations with FLOW advisory board members throughout all phases of the project, including completed activities such as development of the project concept and grant application, and ongoing and planned future activities, such as the development of the FLOW manual, interpretation of results, dissemination, and determining next steps for the FLOW project.