Mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual people across countries
Differences in Mental Health In Lesbian, Gay and Bi-Attracted persons (SMILE)
This project follows lesbian, gay, and bisexual people in multiple countries to find out how culture and life experiences affect depression, anxiety, PTSD, and thoughts of suicide and what kinds of mental health care they prefer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11066447 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be invited to join a long-term study that follows lesbian, gay, and bisexual people in several low- and middle-income countries to track symptoms like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and suicidal thoughts. Researchers will collect information through regular surveys and interviews, and may use mobile health tools and trained lay counselors to stay in touch. The team will compare results across cultural settings to learn which factors drive mental health problems and which treatments people are most likely to accept. Findings will be used to help design affordable, locally sustainable mental health treatments for sexual minorities.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual and live in the study countries who are willing to complete interviews or surveys and be followed over time are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who do not identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual or who cannot participate in ongoing follow-up are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to mental health treatments that are culturally appropriate and easier to access for lesbian, gay, and bisexual people in low-resource settings.
How similar studies have performed: Previous pilot work and other efforts adapting evidence-based treatments in low-resource settings show feasibility and high mental-health needs in sexual minorities, but large multi-country longitudinal cohorts focused on these groups are largely new.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Whetten, Kathryn — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Whetten, Kathryn
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 below.