FEASIBILITY AND ACCEPTABILITY OF ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT THERAPY FOR LGBTQIA+ COLLEGE STUDENTS

Abstract

LGBTQ+ college students face elevated risks for mental health concerns due to intersecting identities, minority stress, and limited access to affirming care. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has demonstrated promise for increasing psychological flexibility and promoting values-based action, but research on its application with LGBTQ+ populations remains limited. This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of a virtual ACT group intervention delivered through four weekly 90-minute workshops focused on values clarification, mindfulness, defusion, and self-compassion exercises. The intervention was adapted to include LGBTQ+-affirming metaphors, activities, and videos. Eight college-aged participants consented, and a mixed-methods approach was used, including pre-, post-, and retrospective quantitative measures alongside qualitative open-ended responses and activity reflections. Despite strong facilitator fidelity, feasibility benchmarks were not met due to low recruitment, declining attendance, and limited retention. Only two participants completed all four workshops; as a result, quantitative results were descriptive in nature. However, acceptability findings were promising. Participants agreed or strongly agreed the workshops were useful, well-organized, and personally relevant. Qualitative data revealed engagement with core ACT processes and offered insight into participants’ values-aligned goals, barriers to progress, and strategies that supported change. These findings highlight both the challenges of delivering affirming interventions within current sociopolitical conditions and the potential value of tailored ACT programming for LGBTQ+ students. Future directions include refining delivery format, workshop structure, and recruitment methods to enhance feasibility and sustained participation. Expanding accessible and affirming interventions tailored to the unique needs of underserved LGBTQ+ populations is critical for reducing disparities.