Support program for lesbian and bisexual women to reduce minority stress, improve mental health, and lower risky drinking
A unified protocol to address sexual minority women's minority stress, mental health and hazardous drinking
['FUNDING_R01'] · YALE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11369217
A 10-session affirmative cognitive-behavioral program for lesbian and bisexual women that builds self-affirming coping to ease anxiety and depression and reduce hazardous drinking.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | YALE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW HAVEN, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11369217 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you join, you will be randomly assigned to either a 10-session affirmative cognitive-behavioral therapy (ACBT) that teaches self-affirming thoughts and reduces avoidant coping or to a comparison group. The therapy is delivered by trained clinicians and focuses on handling stigma-related stress, shame, and drinking-to-cope. Researchers will ask you to complete surveys about alcohol use, mood, anxiety, and stress reactions before, during, and after the program and may do interviews to learn how to expand access. The team is building on a small pilot and wants to test the program with a larger group and learn how to scale it up for wider use.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who identify as lesbian or bisexual and who report risky drinking and related mood or anxiety concerns are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who do not identify as sexual minority women, those needing medically supervised detox or inpatient care, or those seeking only medication-based treatment may not benefit from this therapy-focused program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could lower hazardous drinking and improve depression and anxiety in lesbian and bisexual women by teaching healthier ways to cope with identity-related stress.
How similar studies have performed: A prior small pilot trial (n=60) showed promising reductions in hazardous drinking and depression/anxiety, but this is the first larger randomized test in this population.
Where this research is happening
NEW HAVEN, UNITED STATES
- YALE UNIVERSITY — NEW HAVEN, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: PACHANKIS, JOHN EDWARD — YALE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: PACHANKIS, JOHN EDWARD
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.