Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Monograph

Degree

Master of Arts

Program

Education

Supervisor

Rodger, Susan

Abstract

Research has found that 2S/LGBTQIA+ youth experience disproportionately high mental health concerns and barriers to accessing support. Protective factors such as school-based support, peer support, and mental health interventions have been found to buffer this risk. The Healthy Relationships Program (HRP) for 2S/LGBTQIA+ Youth is a positive mental health promotion program that aims to build resiliency, bolster healthy relationship skills, and promote well-being among 2S/LGBTQIA+ youth. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes, effectiveness, and feasibility of implementing this program within Gender and Sexuality/Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) in secondary schools. Data from students (N = 17) and GSA advisors who facilitated the program (N = 9) were collected using a mixed-methods self-report study design. Using a retrospective pre-post survey, students reflected on their knowledge, self-efficacy, and perspectives before and after experiencing the program. GSA advisors reflected on successes, challenges, and barriers related to program implementation. Results suggest that the HRP for 2S/LGBTQIA+ Youth has the potential to improve youth’s knowledge about mental health and relationships, enhance their self-efficacy in relationships, and help affirm their diverse identities. Program facilitators expressed satisfaction with the program and witnessed specific benefits for youth participants. Notably, the flexibility in program implementation and documented evaluation challenges limit the ability to make strong conclusions from the current data. These findings provide important directions for supportive implementation of mental health promotion programming for 2S/LGBTQIA+ youth and future program evaluations in school-based settings.

Summary for Lay Audience

Youth with stigmatized gender, romantic, and sexual identities, including those who identify as two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, and asexual (2S/LGBTQIA+), experience disproportionately high mental health concerns. Risk factors for negative mental health outcomes that disproportionately impact 2S/LGBTQIA+ youth include stigma, discrimination, harassment, and prejudice. School-based support, peer relationships, and mental health interventions have been found to act as protective factors against this risk. The Healthy Relationships Program (HRP) for 2S/LGBTQIA+ Youth is a positive mental health promotion program that aims to build resiliency, bolster healthy relationship skills, and promote well-being among 2S/LGBTQIA+ youth. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes, effectiveness, and feasibility of implementing this program within Gender and Sexuality/Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) in secondary schools. GSAs are safer spaces within schools where 2S/LGBTQIA+ youth and allies can receive support, socialize and foster community, and engage in advocacy. Data were collected from students to provide insight into their knowledge, feelings, and skills related to mental health, support-seeking, healthy relationships, and dating violence before and after experiencing the program. GSA advisors provided feedback on their experiences implementing the HRP for 2S/LGBTQIA+ Youth, including successes and challenges. Results suggest that the HRP for 2S/LGBTQIA+ Youth has the potential to improve youths’ knowledge about mental health and relationships, enhance their capacity to use healthy relationship skills, and help affirm their diverse identities. Program facilitators expressed satisfaction with the program and witnessed specific benefits for youth participants. Because the program offers flexibility in how it can be implemented, evaluation challenges were noted that limit the ability to make firm conclusions from this data regarding the outcomes of the program. Findings from this study provide important directions on how to better support the implementation and evaluation of mental health promotion programming for 2S/LGBTQIA+ youth in school-based settings.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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