Trans and gender diverse young people's attitudes towards game-based digital mental health interventions: A qualitative investigation

• Published in: Internet interventions : the application of information technology in mental and behavioural health Vol. 18; p. 100280
• Main Authors: Strauss, Penelope, Morgan, Helen, Wright Toussaint, Dani, Lin, Ashleigh, Winter, Sam, Perry, Yael
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.12.2019; Elsevier
• Subjects: Digital health; Game-based mental health interventions; LGBT; Serious games; Trans and gender diverse; Video games; Youth; TGD; Video games; Game-based mental health interventions; Trans and gender diverse; Youth; Digital health; Serious games; LGBT; MMO; MMO, Massively multiplayer online; TGD, Trans and/or gender diverse; LGBT+, Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans (transgender) and more diverse gender and sexualities
• ISSN: 2214-7829; 2214-7829
• DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2019.100280

Trans and gender diverse (TGD) young people are at high risk for mental health difficulties. Previous research has shown that three in four TGD young people have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and/or depression and almost one in two have attempted suicide. TGD young people experience barriers to traditional mental health services, commonly faced with inexperienced providers and discrimination. Video and computer games, as well as online spaces, are sources of resilience for TGD young people. Digital mental health interventions are a feasible, but understudied, approach to consider for this population. N = 14 TGD young people aged 11–18 years were recruited to take part in focus groups as part of a multistage project. The focus groups were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a general inductive thematic analysis approach. This paper reports on their attitudes towards digital games and game-based digital mental health interventions. Aspects of game-based digital mental health interventions should be inclusive of diverse genders and sexuality, moderated appropriately and include content such as storylines and characters who are of diverse sexualities and/or gender. Participants were of the opinion that games should be preventative rather than treatment-focused; however, considering the high rate of mental health difficulties in this population, interventions should ideally address symptoms along the continuum from sub-clinical to clinical. •The attitudes of TGD young people show promise for the delivery of mental health interventions through digital games.•Empowering aspects of games are playing as one’s gender and genuine representation of LGBT+ characters and storylines.•Game-based mental health interventions should subtly address symptoms along the continuum from sub-clinical to clinical.•Interventions should be developed with LGBT+ people and be recommended by peers and/or health professionals.