title: A tailored compassion-focused therapy program for sexual minority young adults with depressive symotomatology: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) men and women represent one of the highest-risk populations for depressive symptomatology and disorders, with young LGB adults being at greatest risk. To date, there have been no randomized controlled trials (RCT) to specifically target depressive symptoms in young LGB adults. This is despite research highlighting unique predictors of depressive symptomatology in this population. Here we outline a protocol for an RCT that will test the preliminary efficacy of a tailored compassion-focused therapy (CFT) intervention for young LGB adults compared with a self-directed cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program with no specific tailoring for LGB individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  The CFT intervention consists of 8 units with self-directed reading and activities tailored to LGB young adults, and 8 x weekly 1-hour consultations with a therapist. The CBT intervention consists of 8 units with self-guided reading and activities, with 1 x 1-hour session with a therapist at the mid-point of therapy. Fifty LGB individuals with scores of 13 or above on the Beck Depression Inventory-II will be randomized to either the CFT or CBT condition. The primary outcome measure is depressive symptomatology. Secondary outcome measures are symptoms of anxiety, suicidal ideation, internalized homophobia, self-compassion, and shame and guilt proneness. Assessments will occur at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at 3-month post-intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study is an RCT to test the preliminary efficacy of an LGB-tailored compassion-focused intervention for young LGB adults with depressive symptomatology. If this intervention is efficacious, this could begin to address the substantial mental health disparities amongst sexual minorities.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ACTRN12616001018404 . Prospective registration, registered 02/08/2016.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. c.pepping@latrobe.edu.au.
authors.forename: Christopher A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Pepping
authors.affiliation: Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health, and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lyons
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McNair
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: James N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Kirby
authors.affiliation: Department of Economics and Social Sciences, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Petrocchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Derby, Derby, UK.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gilbert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D000072339:Sexual and Gender Minorities / Q000523:psychology*; D012752:Shame; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Bisexual; Compassion; Depression; Gay; Lesbian; Sexual minority