Lakota-adapted Family Acceptance Program for Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ youth and caregivers

Development and Evaluation of an Indigenized Family Acceptance Project for Lakota LGBTQ2S+ Youth

Not applicable Interventional University of Michigan · NCT07326748

This program will try an eight-week Lakota-adapted family support intervention to help Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ youth and their caregivers reduce family rejection and improve youth mental health.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment28 (estimated)
Ages13 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Michigan Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Pine Ridge, South Dakota and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT07326748 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This open pilot develops and tests a Lakota-adapted Family Acceptance Project (LFAP) for Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ youth and their caregivers, with primary aims of acceptability, feasibility, and safety. Enrolled youth and a participating caregiver complete a baseline survey and then attend eight weekly two-hour group sessions using the adapted LFAP curriculum. Participants complete surveys before and immediately after the program, plus additional post-program surveys and an exit interview. Investigators will examine pre-to-post changes on measures (for example depression) to ensure scores move in the hypothesized direction and to inform future larger trials.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ youth ages 13–18 who report moderate to high family rejection and have a caregiver willing and able to attend eight weekly two-hour sessions are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Youth without a participating caregiver, those who are not Indigenous or not 2SLGBTQ+, non-English speakers, or those with low levels of family rejection are unlikely to benefit from this pilot.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could increase caregiver support, lower family rejection, and reduce depression and other mental health risks for Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ youth.

How similar studies have performed: The Family Acceptance Project has prior evidence showing reductions in family rejection and improved youth outcomes across diverse groups, but the Lakota-adapted version is novel and being piloted specifically for Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Youth Inclusion Criteria:

* Identify as 2SLGBTQ+ (and their identity must be known to their participating caregiver)
* Identify as Indigenous (multiracial youth who are also Indigenous are eligible)
* Youth should be between the ages of 13 and 18 years
* Read and speak English
* Report moderate to high levels of caregiver/family rejection (as evidenced by agreement on items that assess the presence and frequency of specific family rejecting behaviors \[includes ambivalent and moderately and highly rejecting caregivers\]
* Report an ability and commitment to attending eight sessions at two hours a week over eight weeks with their caregiver

Participating Caregiver Inclusion Criteria:

* Caregivers are broadly defined and may include a biological parent, stepparent, grandparent, aunt/uncle, or other adult who provides care to the Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ youth
* Must be over the age of 18
* Read and speak English
* Be aware of the SGM identity of their Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ youth
* report an ability and commitment to attending eight sessions at two hours a week over eight weeks with their teen

Exclusion Criteria:

* We will exclude Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ youth and caregivers at imminent risk for suicide and/or who are experiencing current psychosis symptoms as determined by results on the safety items screener.

Where this trial is running

Pine Ridge, South Dakota and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions LGBTQRacial DisparitiesFamily RelationshipsMinority StressDepressionAnxietyDrug UseTeen Dating Violence
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.