Research Project

Development of a social media simulation game to reduce adverse dating outcomes among LGBTQ+ youth and young adults

This IRSP pilot study will determine whether or not a newly developed game-based intervention has the potential to improve communication, negotiation skills, emotional regulation, and dating violence behaviors among LGBTQ+ youth and young adults. Reducing Adverse Dating Outcomes (RADOS!) is a social media simulation game focused on addressing identity-based stress, emotional regulation, and equipping youth with skills to maintain healthy relationships.We will 1) build and translate evidence-based content into a 30-minute digital simulation game prototype. 2) the team will conduct iterative usability and feasibility testing of a 30-minute simulation prototype.

Start Date
2023-01-01
End Date
2024-06-30
Funding Source
Internal Research Support Program

Abstract

Teen dating violence is a public health crisis disproportionately impacting lesbian/gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer+ (LGBTQ+) youth and young adults. Most research targeting LGBTQ+ individuals has focused on sexual risk reduction and HIV. No dating violence prevention interventions exist that address the unique needs of LGBTQ+ individuals and effectively reduce dating violence behaviors. This IRSP pilot study will determine whether or not a newly developed game-based intervention has the potential to improve communication, negotiation skills, emotional regulation, and dating violence behaviors among LGBTQ+ youth and young adults. Reducing Adverse Dating Outcomes (RADOS!) is a social media simulation game focused on addressing identity-based stress, emotional regulation, and equipping youth with skills to maintain healthy relationships. The content within the pilot game was guided by the behavioral theory for dating violence and included three simulation scenarios. This IRSP study will address two aims. First, we will build and translate evidence-based content into a 30-minute digital simulation game prototype. A youth advisory board (N = 12) will be engaged to provide feedback on the existing intervention content and designs. The PI will conduct focus groups with the youth advisory to ensure the infrastructure is appealing and reflective of their lived experiences. This iterative process will include a multidisciplinary team of youth advisors, community partners, and gaming experts. Second, the team will conduct iterative usability and feasibility testing of a 30-minute simulation prototype. A purposive sample of LGBTQ+ youth (N = 40, n = 20 LGBTQ+ youth, n = 20 LGBTQ+ young adults) from LGBTQ+ youthserving organizations throughout the Chicagoland area will be recruited. We will assess differences in recruitment strategies, engagement, enrollment, usability, feasibility, and acceptability of this intervention between LGBTQ+ youth ages 15-17 verse LGBTQ+ young adults ages 18-24. This aim will help us determine the ideal target population for this intervention. This pilot is a critical step in this process because it will: (1) provide funding for the PI to complete the technical development of the prototype in collaboration with a game development company; (2) provide a scalable framework to expand and incorporate additional content; and (3) provide the preliminary data proving feasibility, scalability needed for the resubmissions of my K23 applications in Spring 2023.