Utilizing Online Table-Top Roleplaying Games to Build Resilience and Coping Skills in LGBTQ+ Youth
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Date
2021-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and other sexual and/or gender
minority (LGBTQ+) adolescents are at increased risk for mental health issues as a result
of the stressors they are exposed to due to their LGBTQ+ identities. This stress—
resulting from factors such as prejudice; individual, interpersonal, and institutional
discrimination; and microaggressions—can also have negative effects on their overall
wellbeing. This pilot feasibility and evaluation study adapted a table-top roleplaying
game (similar to Dungeons and Dragons) to fit themes relative to the struggles of
LGBTQ+ youth in an online format. The game magnifies and personifies themes like
anxiety, depression, internalized stigma, and discrimination (both interpersonal and
structural). Players collectively learn and implement relevant coping mechanisms to
overcome these challenges. The study found that adapting an LGBTQ+ focused table-top
roleplaying game to an online format was feasible and acceptable to participants and that
the game is effective at its objectives, indicating significant changes for most outcomes of
interest; results indicate that resilience and coping skills increased while risk factors
decreased. While more research is needed to validate preliminary outcomes, this pilot
study confirmed the potential for online table-top roleplaying games to reach a wide
audience and help reduce risk factors while building resilience and coping skills in
minoritized adolescent populations.
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Keywords
coping skills, LGBTQ+, table-top roleplaying game, resilience