Purpose: Self-concept, at the core of minority stress, is associated with negative mental health outcomes.
Methods: We aimed to assess the effectiveness of a one-shot third-wave CBT intervention targeting correct self-identification to address suffering related to minority stress. The study population included 172 participants (n = 98 heterosexuals, n=13 transgenders). The intervention consisted of a 90 minutes conference including overview of LGBT's suffering related to distal and proximal factors, a wisdom understanding of the root of suffering (mistaken self-identification) followed by a Questions & Answers session. Participants completed online self-questionnaires assessing sociodemographic data, acceptance by others (external) and oneself (internal) for sexual orientation and gender variables before the conference, immediately after the conference, and three months later.
Results: The conference helped to improve external acceptance of transgender for the whole sample, especially among the majority group. Those belonging to the minority (LGBT) had a positive benefit from the conference by reducing their fear of judgment. Adding a Q&A session to the conference failed to show any additional benefits.
Conclusion: A specific wisdom-based self-identification conference appears to be an effective and low-cost intervention to target minority stigma, and therefore mental health and social integration of LGBT people.
Keywords: Conception de soi; LGBT; Minority stress; Self-concept; Stigma; Stigmatisation; Stress des minorités; Third-wave cognitive behavioral therapy; Thérapies cognitives et comportementales de troisième vague.
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