Affirmative Mindfulness, Acceptance, and Compassion-based Intervention for SM (Free2Be)

Affirmative Mindfulness, Acceptance, and Compassion-based Group Intervention for Sexual Minorities (Free2Be): A Pilot Study

The goal of this pilot clinical trial is to explore the effectiveness of Free2Be group intervention for sexual minorities. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Is it Free2Be effective in the decrease of stress?
• Are mindfulness, acceptance, and self-compassion responsible for changes in psychological symptoms?

Participants will receive an affirmative mindfulness, acceptance, and self-compassion-based face-to-face group intervention with 13 weekly sessions (Free2Be).

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Minority Stress
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Free2Be

Detailed Description

Sexual Minorized (SM) individuals include several self-identified nonheterosexual sexual orientations. This population face uncountable forms of discrimination stemming from social stigma. Unsurprisingly, levels of psychopathology are poorer in SM individuals when compared to heterosexual individuals, The Minority Stress Model describes stress processes that help to explain this disparity, for example, expectations of rejection and internalized stigma. Beyond the specific minority-related processes, general maladaptive psychological processes also contribute to the elevated risk of psychopathology in this population (Psychological Mediation Framework), for example, self-criticism. Additionally, shame and fears of compassion seem to affect the mental health in this population.

When SM individuals try to access mental health care, they find inappropriate and discriminatory services with professionals without specific training on sexuality-related themes. Affirmative interventions are wide approaches with a positive and respectful perspective about sexual orientations, recognizing different identities as representations of human diversity. This approach identifies negative consequences in mental health as consequences of stress related to heterosexism, discrimination and violence against SM individuals.

Previous studies reinforcing the relevance of mindfulness, acceptance, and self-compassion as positive psychological processes for SM individuals. Free2Be was the first affirmative intervention based on mindfulness, acceptance, and compassion techniques for SM individuals, and is a manualized 13 weeks, face-to-face group intervention. The feasibility results highlighted the acceptability of this intervention, suggested some changes in the intervention content, and concluded about the viability of a pilot study.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 28
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Portugal
  • Coimbra, Portugal, 3000-115
    • Faculty of Psychology and Educational Science
  • Coimbra, Portugal, 3000-504
    • Serviços De Acção Social Da Universidade De Coimbra

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Majority (> 18 years old)
• Nonheterosexual self-identified
• Being Portuguese
• Perfectly understanding of Portuguese oral and written language
• Gave informed and free consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Currently receiving individual or group psychotherapy
• Major Depressive Disorder - severe specifier
• Hypo/maniac Episode - without full remission
• Psychosis Characteristics in the last two months
• Social impairment from Substance Use Disorder
• High suicide risk (according to the Suicide Risk Index).

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Intervention / Treatment

Experimental: Experimental group; 1 pre-session + 12 sessions

Behavioral: Free2Be; Free2Be is a manualized 13-week face-to-face group intervention for SM individuals with one pre-session and plus 12 intervention sessions. The themes of each session are: Human nature & Relation with suffering (S1), Emotional regulation & Multiple selves (S2), Creative hopelessness & Values (S3), Compassionate attention (S4), Compassionate acceptance (S5), Self-criticism; Compassion & Flows of compassion (S6), Compassionate imagination; Compassionate self (S7), Early experiences; Stigma and shame; & Compassionate cognitive desfusion (S8), Compassionate thinking (S9), Difficult emotions: Shame & Anger (S10), Coming out & Compassionate behaviour (assertiveness) (S11), Positive emotions & Preparing for the future (S2).

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Stress symptoms assessed by DASS-21	The subscale Stress symptoms of the self-report Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995; Pais-Ribeiro et al., 2004) has 7 items that assess difficulties in relaxing, nervous excitement, agitation, exaggerated reactions, and impatience.	6 months (from Baseline to 3-months follow-up)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Mindfulness assessed by CompACT-18	The subscale Behavioural awareness of the self-report Comprehensive assessment of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy processes - 18 Items (CompACT-18; Francis et al., 2016; Trindade et al., 2021) has 5 items that assess mindful attention to the present moment.	6 months (from Baseline to 3-months follow-up)
Acceptance assessed by CompACT-18	The subscale Openness to experience of the self-report Comprehensive assessment of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy processes - 18 Items (CompACT-18; Francis et al., 2016; Trindade et al., 2021) has 5 items that assess willingness to allow internal experiences without efforts to change it.	6 months (from Baseline to 3-months follow-up)
Self-compassion assessed by CMAS	The Self-compassion scale of the self-report Compassion Motivation and Action Scales (CMAS; Steindl et al., 2021; Matos et al., 2023) has 18 items that assess the intent to be self-compassionate, distress tolerance during own suffering, and behaviours to alleviate this suffering.	6 months (from Baseline to 3-months follow-up)
Stigma consciousness assessed by SCQ-PT	The self-report Stigma Consciousness Questionnaire (SCQ-PT; Pinel, 1999; Seabra, Gato, et al., 2023) has 10 items that assess the extent to which sexual minority individuals focus on feel self-conscious about their stereotyped status.	6 months (from Baseline to 3-months follow-up)
Internalized stigma assessed by LGBIS	The subscale Identity dissatisfaction of the self-report Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Identity Scale (LGBIS; Mohr & Kendra, 2011; Oliveira et al., 2012) has 6 items that assess internalized stigma.	6 months (from Baseline to 3-months follow-up)
Shame assessed by SMEISS	The Sexual Minority External and Internal Shame Scale (Manão et al., 2023) has 8 items that assess shame related to sexual orientation.	6 months (from Baseline to 3-months follow-up)
Self-Criticism assessed by FSCRS	The composite measure of Inadequate self and Hated self of the self-report Forms of Self-criticizing/Attacking and Self-reassuring Scale (FSCRS; Gilbert et al., 2004; Castilho et al., 2015) has 14 items that assess the experience of inadequacy and self-dislike when failures and setbacks occur. The use of this composite measure is very common in the assessment of self-criticism. Recent years research in non-clinical samples has favoured a unique global factor of self-criticism considering Inadequate self and Hated self together (Halamová et al., 2019).	6 months (from Baseline to 3-months follow-up)
Fears of compassion for other assessed by FCS	The subscale Fear of compassion to others of the self-report Fears of Compassion Scale (FCS; Gilbert et al., 2011; Simões, 2012) has 10 items that assess fears, blocks, and resistances to giving compassion to others.	6 months (from Baseline to 3-months follow-up)
Fears of compassion from other assessed by FCS	The subscale Fear of compassion from others of the self-report Fears of Compassion Scale (FCS; Gilbert et al., 2011; Simões, 2012) has 13 items that assess fears, blocks, and resistances to receive compassion.	6 months (from Baseline to 3-months follow-up)
Fears of self-compassion assessed by FCS	The subscale Fear for compassion for self of the self-report Fears of Compassion Scale (FCS; Gilbert et al., 2011; Simões, 2012) has 15 items that assess one's fears, blocks, and resistances to self-compassion.	6 months (from Baseline to 3-months follow-up)
Anxiety symptoms assessed by DASS-21	The subscale Anxiety symptoms of the self-report Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995; Pais-Ribeiro et al., 2004) has 7 items that assess physical arousal symptoms, panic attacks, and fear.	6 months (from Baseline to 3-months follow-up)
Depressive symptoms assessed by DASS-21	The subscale Depression symptoms of the self-report Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995; Pais-Ribeiro et al., 2004) has 7 items that assess symptoms usually associated with negative mood.	6 months (from Baseline to 3-months follow-up)
Social anxiety symptoms assessed by SIAS	The self-report Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS; Mattick & Clarke, 1998; Pinto-Gouveia & Salvador, 2001) has 19 items that assess fears of general social interaction.	6 months (from Baseline to 3-months follow-up)
Positive affect (drive system) assessed by ASCAS	The composite measure of Activated positive affect and Relaxed positive affect of the self-report Activation and Safe/Content Affect Scale (ASCAS; Gilbert et al., 2008; Pinto-Gouveia et al., 2008) has 14 items that assess the experience of positive affect associated to resource acquisitions and achievements. This composite measure aligns with theorical affect regulation systems (Gilbert, 2010).	6 months (from Baseline to 3-months follow-up)
Positive affect (soothing system) assessed by ASCAS	The subscale Safe/content positive affect of the self-report Activation and Safe/Content Affect Scale (ASCAS; Gilbert et al., 2008; Pinto-Gouveia et al., 2008) has 4 items that assess the experience of positive affect associated to safeness, caring, and contentment.	6 months (from Baseline to 3-months follow-up)
Negative affect (threat system) assessed by PANAS	The subscale Negative affect of the self-report Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS; Watson, Clark & Tellegen, 1988; Galinha & Pais-Ribeiro, 2005) has 10 items that assess the experience of positive affect associated to detection and protection.	6 months (from Baseline to 3-months follow-up)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Coimbra
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Daniel Seabra, University of Coimbra

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Meyer IH. Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: conceptual issues and research evidence. Psychol Bull. 2003 Sep;129(5):674-697. doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.129.5.674.
• Pachankis JE. Uncovering Clinical Principles and Techniques to Address Minority Stress, Mental Health, and Related Health Risks Among Gay and Bisexual Men. Clin Psychol (New York). 2014 Dec;21(4):313-330. doi: 10.1111/cpsp.12078.
• Helminen EC, Ducar DM, Scheer JR, Parke KL, Morton ML, Felver JC. Self-Compassion, Minority Stress, and Mental Health in Sexual and Gender Minority Populations: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review. Clin Psychol (New York). 2023 Mar;30(1):26-39. doi: 10.1037/cps0000104. Epub 2022 Nov 28.
• Fowler JA, Buckley L, Muir M, Viskovich S, Paradisis C, Zanganeh P, Dean JA. Digital mental health interventions: A narrative review of what is important from the perspective of LGBTQIA+ people. J Clin Psychol. 2023 Aug 2. doi: 10.1002/jclp.23571. Online ahead of print.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 1, 2023
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 31, 2023
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 31, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 31, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 31, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): September 8, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): September 13, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 7, 2023
• Last Verified: September 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: mindfulness; stress; compassion; Sexual Minorities; minority stress; acceptance; Affirmative group intervention
• Other Study ID Numbers: Free2Be_intervention_SM; SFRH/BD/143437/2019 (Other Grant/Funding Number: Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No