Psychosocial Interventions for Mental Health and Well-being among LGBTQ+ Persons: a Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction. The mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ persons are severely affected by minority stress. Objective. This study seeks to review the original research on psychosocial interventions designed to improve mental health and well-being among LGBTQ+ adults. Method. The systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines, searching in PubMed, PsycInfo, and Scielo in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French for original research articles with study outcomes. Results. Overall, 37 studies were included, comprising 21 randomized controlled trials, two other experimental designs, three quasi-experimental studies, two pilot studies, and nine pre-experimental studies. The total sample consisted of 3,858 LGBTQ+ adults aged between 20 and 51, mostly cis White and Afrodescendant males in the United States. Most studies (n = 28) reported a decrease in depression, anxiety, and trauma symptoms, especially those using the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) affirmative approach, while nine studies reported improvements in well-being and quality of life. Discussion and conclusion. The CBT affirmative approach showed the best outcomes for improving the mental health of LGBTQ+ persons, who often experience minority stress. More research is needed to include diverse populations regarding race/ethnicity and regional contexts, such as Latin America.