Mental health of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people worldwide
Differences in Mental Health In Lesbian, Gay and Bi-Attracted persons (SMILE)
Researchers will follow lesbian, gay, and bisexual people across countries to learn what mental health problems they face and which treatments work best for them.
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-11402920 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I join, the study will enroll people who are lesbian, gay, or bisexual from multiple countries, including low- and middle-income settings, and follow them over time to track depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts. I may be asked to complete surveys, share health history, and possibly provide contact for follow-up; some sites may use phone apps or local lay providers to deliver or test treatments. The team will compare mental health patterns and the social or cultural factors that affect them, and use those findings to shape locally acceptable, affordable treatments. Results are meant to guide future care that fits different cultures and delivery methods like mHealth or community providers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or similarly attracted (persons with biological attraction differences), especially those living in the study's participating countries or reachable by the study's follow-up methods, are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who do not identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, those outside participating regions with no remote follow-up option, or those seeking immediate clinical treatment rather than research participation may not benefit directly from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to mental health care approaches that are better matched to the needs and realities of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people in diverse countries.
How similar studies have performed: Previous pilot work and other programs have shown high rates of depression and anxiety in sexual minority groups and that evidence-based treatments can be delivered via lay providers and mHealth in low-resource settings, but longitudinal, multi-country data focused on these groups remain limited.
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.