An online program to help prevent alcohol use and dating violence in LGBTQ+ youth.
Official title: An Online Family-based Program to Prevent Alcohol Use and Dating and Sexual Violence among Sexual and Gender Minority Youth
Funded at University of Colorado · NIH-10740591 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a friendly online program called Healthy Families Bright Future for families with LGBTQ+ teens aged 15 to 18, helping caregivers support their kids better while also teaching the teens important skills to feel good about themselves and stay safe.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Colorado Springs, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $653,281 |
| NIH project number | 1R34AA030662-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10740591 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this program are sexual and gender minority youth aged 15 to 18 and their caregivers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not part of the sexual and gender minority community or who are outside the age range of 15 to 18 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop and evaluate an online family-based program called Healthy Families Bright Future, specifically designed for sexual and gender minority youth aged 15 to 18. The program will consist of seven weekly sessions for both caregivers and youth, focusing on enhancing acceptance, support, and relevant caregiving skills among caregivers, while helping youth reduce internalized stigma and improve social-emotional skills. Participants will practice skills as a family between sessions, with the program co-facilitated by a young adult from the sexual and gender minority community and a caregiver. The goal is to address the unique risk factors these youth face regarding alcohol use and dating violence.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a supportive framework that reduces alcohol use and dating violence among sexual and gender minority youth.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited research specifically targeting this demographic with a combined approach to alcohol use and dating violence prevention, similar interventions have shown promise in other youth populations.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado
Colorado Springs, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Littleton, Heather — University of Colorado
- Study coordinator: Littleton, Heather
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.