The influence of information and communication technologies on the resilience and coping of sexual and gender minority youth in the United States and Canada.

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Date

2017-09-28

Authors

Eaton, Andrew

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

JMIR Research Protocols

Abstract

Background: Sexual and gender minority youth are a population in peril, exemplified by their disproportionate risk of negative experiences and outcomes. Sexual and gender minority youth may be particularly active users of information and communication technologies (ICTs), and it is important to identify the potential contributions of ICTs to their resilience and well-being.

Objective: Our aim was to (1) investigate the use of ICTs by sexual and gender minority youth, (2) identify the ways that ICTs influence the resilience and coping of sexual and gender minority youth, focusing on promotion of well-being through self-guided support-seeking (particularly using mobile devices), (3) develop a contextually relevant theoretical conceptualization of resilience incorporating minority stress and ecological approaches, (4) generate best practices and materials that are accessible to multiple interested groups, and (5) identify whether video narratives are a viable alternative to collect qualitative responses in Web-based surveys for youth.

Methods: Mixed methods, cross-sectional data (N=6309) were collected via a Web-based survey from across the United States and Canada from March-July 2016. The sample was generated using a multipronged, targeted recruitment approach using Web-based strategies and consists of self-identified English-speaking sexual and gender minority youth aged 14-29 with technological literacy sufficient to complete the Web-based survey. The survey was divided into eight sections: (1) essential demographics, (2) ICT usage, (3) health and mental health, (4) coping and resilience, (5) sexual and gender minority youth identities and engagement, (6) fandom communities, (7) nonessential demographics, and (8) a video submission (optional, n=108). The option of a 3-5 minute video submission represents a new research innovation in Web-based survey research.

Results: Data collection is complete (N=6309), and analyses are ongoing. Proposed analyses include (1) structural equation modeling of quantitative data, (2) grounded theory analysis of qualitative data, and (3) an integrative, mixed methods analysis using a data transformation design. Theoretical and methodological triangulation of analyses integrates an interwoven pattern of results into a comprehensive picture of a phenomenon. Results will be reported in 2017 and 2018.

Conclusions: This research study will provide critical insights into the emerging use of ICTs by sexual and gender minority youth and identify intervention strategies to improve their well-being and reduce risks encountered by this vulnerable population. Implications for practice, research, and knowledge translation are provided.

Description

This article was originally published in JMRI Research Protocols. Craig, S. L., McInroy, L. B., D’Souza, S., Austin, A., McCready, L. T., Eaton, A. D., Shade, L. R., & Wagaman, M. A. (2017). Project #queery: The influence of information and communication technologies on the resilience and coping of sexual and gender minority youth in the United States and Canada. JMIR Research Protocols, 6(9), e189. . ©Shelley L Craig, Lauren B McInroy, Sandra A D'Souza, Ashley Austin, Lance T McCready, Andrew D Eaton, Leslie R Shade, M Alex Wagaman. Originally published in JMIR Research Protocols (http://www.researchprotocols.org), 28.09.2017. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, first published in JMIR Research Protocols, is properly cited. The complete bibliographic information, a link to the original publication on http://www.researchprotocols.org, as well as this copyright and license information must be included.

Keywords

mixed methods (19); survey (78); grounded theory (4); sexuality (2); LGBTQ (6); gender (14); sexual orientation; gay; transgender (8); youth (48); Internet (191); online (20); information and communication technologies

Citation

Craig SL, McInroy LB, D'Souza SA, Austin A, McCready LT, Eaton AD, Shade LR, Wagaman MA Influence of Information and Communication Technologies on the Resilience and Coping of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth in the United States and Canada (Project #Queery): Mixed Methods Survey JMIR Res Protoc 2017;6(9):e189 doi: 10.2196/resprot.8397 PMID: 28958984 PMCID: 5639209

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/10294/14876

Collections

Andrew Eaton