Couple and Family Therapies and Interventions with Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Individuals: A Systematic Review

Abstract

This paper presents a systematic review study that aimed to map how the scientific literature is characterized concerning family or couple interventions and therapies regarding lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) individuals. The searches were conducted in the Web of Science, BVS, PsycINFO, and PUBMED databases, from 2009 to 2019, in Portuguese and English. The PRISMA protocol guidelines were followed and the CONSORT Statement and its extension for non-pharmacological interventions instruments were used. Frequencies and content analysis were performed at software NVivo. After considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria, gender-nonconforming19 articles were retrieved. The results revealed a greater focus on the North American context, mainly on psychoeducational interventions that worked on marital status and family systems with LGB teenagers or young adults. Adaptation of well-consolidated practical approaches was the most used and multiple formats were applied to conduct interventions, using film-based, cognitive-behavioral and systemic techniques. It is argued that theoretical and empirical research focused on stigma and discrimination at marital and family levels is needed in other contexts, such as Global South countries. Future directions and limitations are presented.

Keywords:

• LGB
• intervention
• couple therapy
• family therapy
• systematic review