Training Pediatricians to Support Families of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Youth

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth have an increased risk of mental health disorders. Family support of the child’s sexual orientation or gender identity can mitigate this increased risk when families are provided the proper tools. Pediatricians have the potential to strengthen the parent/child relationship, but few pediatricians receive training in how to guide parents appropriately and accurately. In this randomized controlled trial, we test whether receiving the Family Acceptance Project training increases pediatricians’ self-efficacy in engaging parents to support their lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer child. We will utilize a waitlist control arm to examine the change in self-efficacy of pediatricians who receive the training versus those who do not. This training may help pediatricians support parents to accept their sexual or gender minority child with the ultimate goal of reducing poor mental health outcomes among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer youth