Online Program to Help Parents Talk About Sexuality with Gay or Bisexual Sons Aged 12 to 18

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate a new online intervention called Parents ASSIST, designed to help parents communicate effectively about sexuality with their gay or bisexual sons aged 12 to 18. The study focuses on improving family communication after youth disclose their sexual orientation, as parental acceptance is crucial for the mental and overall health of these young individuals. It is a randomized controlled trial involving parent and adolescent pairs to assess the impact of this intervention on family dynamics and health outcomes. Parents assigned to the intervention group participate in a 5-session online program delivered weekly in small groups. These sessions include videos and communication skill-building activities focused on topics relevant to LGBTQ and gay or bisexual youth. Parents also complete homework assignments to practice these skills with their sons. The control group accesses educational videos on general health topics unrelated to sexuality, such as alcohol use and bullying. The intervention spans several weeks delivered through a secure website. Participants will be involved in assessments at the start and at 3, 6, and 12 months after the intervention begins. These assessments measure the quality and frequency of parent-child communication about sexuality, mental health symptoms like anxiety and depression, health behaviors such as wellness visits, and overall family functioning. The study tracks these outcomes over a year to determine the interventions effects and gathers data on attitudes and intentions related to sexuality discussions within families.

Intervention to Improve Parent Communication About Sexuality