Abstract
Introduction
Sexual and gender minority young people (SGMY) experience mental health disparities and are overlooked in mental health practice and research. Self-compassion is a protective factor that promotes youth psychological well-being. This study examines SGMY perceptions of self-compassion and their experiences participating in self-compassion practices.
Methods
SGMY (n = 30) ages 16–29 participated in empirically supported self-compassion practices. Using grounded theory, researchers uncovered three themes.
Results
SGMY indicated that (1) the practice of self-compassion may help SGMY cope with internal/external homo/bi/transphobia, (2) cultivating self-compassion can enhance well-being, and (3) self-compassion can support coping with difficult thoughts and emotions.
Conclusion
Self-compassion may be a helpful approach for SGMY. Implications for SGMY mental health are explored.
Ethics Statement
Approval from the University of Toronto Ethics Review Board was obtained (Protocol Number: 35193).
Disclosure statement
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Data availability statement
Due to the vulnerability of youth participants and their privacy, the data are not publicly available as it could contain information that could compromise the privacy of research participants.