“She Finally Smiles … for Real”

Reducing Depressive Symptoms and Bolstering Resilience Through a Camp Intervention for LGBTQ Youth

Bibliographic Data

ID17535620
AuthorsTraci K Gillig (0000-0002-9148-9969, ,, corresponding author), Lynn C Miller (0000-0003-3379-3564, ,), Courtney M Cox (,)
Year2017
Volume66
Issue3
Pages368-388
Publication date2017-11-29
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Homosexuality (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0091-8369 • E-ISSN: 1540-3602
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00918369.2017.1411693
PMID29185874
OpenAlexW2769180892
LanguageEN
Citations received13
References cited56

While summer camps are a recognized evidence-based strategy for building social and emotional skills among youth (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2009), no known studies have evaluated the effects of camp programming for LGBTQ youth in the United States. This pilot study evaluates a novel program (Brave Trails) for LGBTQ youth ages 12 to 20, using a pre-post camper survey (N = 56) and a post-camp parent survey (N = 54). Results show campers experienced increases in identity affirmation and hope and a reduction in depressive symptoms. Regression analyses found changes in identity affirmation predicted reductions in depressive symptoms and increases in resilience. Additionally, campers' experience of key camp programming features predicted changes in depressive symptoms. Findings from the parent survey were consistent with camper survey results. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed

Depressive symptoms · Developmental psychology · Intervention (counseling) · Psychiatry · Psychological resilience · Summer camp · Survey data collection · Adolescent and Pediatric Healthcare · Clinical Psychology · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Psychology · Social Psychology · Youth Development and Social Support

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