The impact of strengths-based group counseling on LGBTQ + young adults in the coming out process

Abstract

Our investigation explored the impact of an eight-hour strengths-based group counseling intervention on LGBTQ + young adults’ (ages 18–24) levels of coping, appraisal of social support, and coming out growth. The results identified a within-subjects multivariate effect across time (85% of the variance explained), and analysis of univariate tests indicated that adaptive coping, social support, and coming out growth exhibited change over time. The findings provide support for the use of a strengths-based group therapy curriculum in helping LGBTQ+ young adults grow from the coming out process.

Keywords:

• Coming out
• counseling outcome research
• group counseling intervention
• LGBTQ

Disclosure

The author has no conflicts of interest to declare.

Additional information

Funding

This work received support from the Association for Specialists in Group Work.