Journal article
"Hope Restored": A Pilot Feasibility Study of the Awareness, Courage, and Love (ACL) Psychosocial Intervention Targeting Psychiatric Well-Being in LGBTQ plus Adults
Psychiatry international (Basel), v 7(3), 133
11 Jun 2026
Abstract
Mental health disparities among LGBTQ+ individuals remain elevated and have been exacerbated by sociopolitical stressors following the COVID-19 pandemic. This embedded, mixed-methods pilot study examined the feasibility of a four-session Awareness, Courage, and Love (ACL) group intervention adapted for LGBTQ+ community members. The two-hour intervention sessions targeted (1) contact with the authentic self, (2) self-acceptance and self-compassion, (3) value alignment, and (4) presence. Seven LGBTQ+ adults participated in intervention (n = 3) and control (n = 4) conditions. Participants completed quantitative measures evaluating facets of well-being, including social connection and self-acceptance, and provided qualitative feedback. Findings provide preliminary support for the feasibility of ACL interventions in conjunction with existing community-building strengths among LGBTQ+ individuals. Implications for interdisciplinary behavioral health settings, including psychiatric contexts, are discussed.
Metrics
1 Record Views
Details
- Title
- "Hope Restored": A Pilot Feasibility Study of the Awareness, Courage, and Love (ACL) Psychosocial Intervention Targeting Psychiatric Well-Being in LGBTQ plus Adults
- Creators
- Savannah M. Stidhams - Marquette UniversityKristen M. Pedersen - Drexel UniversityLogan C. Mattingly - University of WashingtonAnnika H. Barsy - University of WashingtonMavis Tsai - University of Washington
- Publication Details
- Psychiatry international (Basel), v 7(3), 133
- Publisher
- MDPI
- Number of pages
- 16
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Medicine
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001802224900001
- Other Identifier
- 991022200100404721