@article{ref1,
title="Effects of "It gets better" suicide prevention videos on youth identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or other sexual or gender minorities: a randomized controlled trial",
journal="LGBT health",
year="2022",
author="Kirchner, Stefanie and Till, Benedikt and Ploderl, Martin and Niederkrotenthaler, Thomas",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="PURPOSE: The &quot;It Gets Better&quot; project (IGBP) features video narratives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer persons or persons with other sexual or gender minority identities (LGBTQ+) of overcoming coming-out-related difficulties. This is the first experimental study investigating effects of these videos. <br><br>METHODS: We conducted a double-blind randomized controlled trial on-site in Austria and online in German-language settings from January to November 2020 with LGBTQ+ youth (14-22 years; n = 483), randomized to an IGBP (n = 242) or control video (n = 241). Suicidal ideation (primary outcome), help-seeking intentions, hopelessness, mood, and sexual identity were assessed at baseline (T(1)), postexposure (T(2)), and 4-week follow-up (T(3)). We assessed differences among gender identities, sexual orientations, with regard to depressive symptoms, and the role of identification. Data were analyzed with linear mixed models and mediation analysis. <br><br>RESULTS: There was no overall effect on suicidal ideation, but nonbinary/transgender individuals experienced a small-sized improvement (T(2): mean change [MC] from baseline MC = -0.06 [95% confidence interval {CI} -0.16 to 0.05], p = 0.60; mean difference [MD] to controls MD = -0.42 [95% CI -0.79 to -0.06], p = 0.02, d = -0.10). An indirect preventive effect on suicidal ideation at T2 through the degree of identification with the protagonist in the video was observed. There was improvement in help-seeking intentions in the intervention group (T(2): MC = 0.25 [95% CI 0.15 to 0.35], p < 0.001; MD = 0.28 [95% CI 0.01 to 0.54], p < 0.05, d = 0.09). <br><br>CONCLUSION: Video narratives featuring coping might have some potential to decrease suicidal ideation and encourage help-seeking among vulnerable youth identifying with videos, but effects are small and short-lived. Study Registration: German Clinical Trial Registry (DRKS00019913).<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2325-8292",
doi="10.1089/lgbt.2021.0383",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/lgbt.2021.0383"
}