Abstract
Purpose: LGBTQ+ young adults are disproportionately affected by tobacco use and associated health conditions. A culturally tailored intervention may improve smoking cessation with this priority population. We conducted focus groups to inform development of a social media intervention to help LGBTQ+ young adults quit smoking. Methods: We conducted two focus groups with LGBTQ+ young adults (N = 27) throughout the United States in a Facebook secret group online setting. An online survey characterized tobacco and other substance use. Questions posed to focus group participants addressed patterns and contexts of smoking, LGBTQ+ identity, and barriers and facilitators to participating in a culturally tailored smoking cessation intervention on social media. Focus group transcripts were coded and analyzed using directed content analysis. Results: Overall, young adults had mixed feelings about linking the identities of LGBTQ+ and smoking, and reflected differences in online and “real life” identities. Participants were generally receptive to a social media smoking cessation intervention with concerns about privacy in sharing their smoking status and LGBTQ+ identities with their online social networks. Gender nonconforming individuals had some unique concerns about Facebook policies. Conclusions: This study highlights important considerations in tailoring a social media intervention for LGBTQ+ young adults. We identified experiences of LGBTQ+ young adults that would support tailoring to a diverse community, and suggestions for how to make smoking cessation programs more appealing to this priority population.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of Adolescent Health |
| DOIs | |
| State | Accepted/In press - Jan 1 2018 |
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Keywords
- Cessation
- Focus groups
- Gender minority
- Intervention
- LGBTQ+
- Prevention
- Sexual minority
- Social media
- Tobacco
- Youth and young adults
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Psychiatry and Mental health
Cite this
Exploring Identities and Preferences for Intervention Among LGBTQ+ Young Adult Smokers Through Online Focus Groups. / Ramo, Danielle E.; Meacham, Meredith; Thrul, Johannes; Belohlavek, Alina; Sarkar, Urmimala; Humfleet, Gary.
In: Journal of Adolescent Health, 01.01.2018.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Exploring Identities and Preferences for Intervention Among LGBTQ+ Young Adult Smokers Through Online Focus Groups
AU - Ramo, Danielle E.
AU - Meacham, Meredith
AU - Thrul, Johannes
AU - Belohlavek, Alina
AU - Sarkar, Urmimala
AU - Humfleet, Gary
PY - 2018/1/1
Y1 - 2018/1/1
N2 - Purpose: LGBTQ+ young adults are disproportionately affected by tobacco use and associated health conditions. A culturally tailored intervention may improve smoking cessation with this priority population. We conducted focus groups to inform development of a social media intervention to help LGBTQ+ young adults quit smoking. Methods: We conducted two focus groups with LGBTQ+ young adults (N = 27) throughout the United States in a Facebook secret group online setting. An online survey characterized tobacco and other substance use. Questions posed to focus group participants addressed patterns and contexts of smoking, LGBTQ+ identity, and barriers and facilitators to participating in a culturally tailored smoking cessation intervention on social media. Focus group transcripts were coded and analyzed using directed content analysis. Results: Overall, young adults had mixed feelings about linking the identities of LGBTQ+ and smoking, and reflected differences in online and “real life” identities. Participants were generally receptive to a social media smoking cessation intervention with concerns about privacy in sharing their smoking status and LGBTQ+ identities with their online social networks. Gender nonconforming individuals had some unique concerns about Facebook policies. Conclusions: This study highlights important considerations in tailoring a social media intervention for LGBTQ+ young adults. We identified experiences of LGBTQ+ young adults that would support tailoring to a diverse community, and suggestions for how to make smoking cessation programs more appealing to this priority population.
AB - Purpose: LGBTQ+ young adults are disproportionately affected by tobacco use and associated health conditions. A culturally tailored intervention may improve smoking cessation with this priority population. We conducted focus groups to inform development of a social media intervention to help LGBTQ+ young adults quit smoking. Methods: We conducted two focus groups with LGBTQ+ young adults (N = 27) throughout the United States in a Facebook secret group online setting. An online survey characterized tobacco and other substance use. Questions posed to focus group participants addressed patterns and contexts of smoking, LGBTQ+ identity, and barriers and facilitators to participating in a culturally tailored smoking cessation intervention on social media. Focus group transcripts were coded and analyzed using directed content analysis. Results: Overall, young adults had mixed feelings about linking the identities of LGBTQ+ and smoking, and reflected differences in online and “real life” identities. Participants were generally receptive to a social media smoking cessation intervention with concerns about privacy in sharing their smoking status and LGBTQ+ identities with their online social networks. Gender nonconforming individuals had some unique concerns about Facebook policies. Conclusions: This study highlights important considerations in tailoring a social media intervention for LGBTQ+ young adults. We identified experiences of LGBTQ+ young adults that would support tailoring to a diverse community, and suggestions for how to make smoking cessation programs more appealing to this priority population.
KW - Cessation
KW - Focus groups
KW - Gender minority
KW - Intervention
KW - LGBTQ+
KW - Prevention
KW - Sexual minority
KW - Social media
KW - Tobacco
KW - Youth and young adults
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85057490339&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85057490339&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.09.022
DO - 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.09.022
M3 - Article
C2 - 30509769
AN - SCOPUS:85057490339
JO - Journal of Adolescent Health
JF - Journal of Adolescent Health
SN - 1054-139X
ER -