57 - “A lifeline for parents and their children”: 1:1 peer mentoring for parents of gender diverse youth

Poster Number: 57
Publication Number: 57.202

Kacie M. Kidd, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, United States; Gina Sequeira, Seattle Children's, Seattle, WA, United States; Caitlin Thornburgh, Seattle Children's, Seattle, WA, United States; Elizabeth Miller, UPMC Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Sabra L. Katz-Wise, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States

Background: Gender diverse youth (GDY) face mental health disparities compared to cisgender peers, but parent affirmation reduces disparities. Few evidence-based support programs for parents of GDY exist and none center 1:1 parent peer support which has shown promise in other pediatric populations.

Objective: The objective of this study was to qualitatively evaluate a 1:1 peer mentor program for parents of GDY, Parent Outreach Program (POP).

Design/Methods: Anonymous online surveys with open-ended questions about POP were distributed to mentor and mentee parents. They were asked why they became involved with POP, program benefits and challenges, and how this program compared to others they had experienced. Open-ended responses were coded by authors using iteratively developed codebooks which were applied to all data and codes were adjudicated to consensus. These codes were used to identify key themes.

Results: Twenty parents completed the surveys. Themes identified for mentors included feeling giving back was important, exploring the mentoring process, challenges experienced, and personal growth. Mentor parents shared “wanting to help,” (“[POP was] rewarding in knowing that by helping the parents you can ultimately help the kids”). They shared challenges like “coordinating schedules” and triggering topics (“Sometimes it brings up a memory of my own family that evokes emotion”). Mentors noted participation was positive (“[POP] offers us the opportunity to grow in our knowledge and feelings in regard to our own child”). Mentee themes included the importance of finding community , receiving education, relating to mentors, practical considerations, and qualities of good mentors. Mentees shared relief in finding a “sense of community." They noted POP allowed them to learn (“there was so much to learn”) and connect via shared experiences (“We craved parents with a true understanding of the many feelings, changes, activities…”). They also addressed considerations like the intimacy of 1:1 support and that provider recommendation mattered (“This [program] is more intimate and focused on our stories,” “When the social worker offered it, I had no doubt”). Mentees also stressed mentors should be "non-judgmental, willing to listen.”Conclusion(s): 1:1 peer support for parents of GDY allowed for mentors to give back and experience personal growth while providing community and resources to mentees who were struggling to support their GDY’s journey. POP demonstrated positive impact for participants. Similar programs may fill an important gap for parents of GDY, ultimately improving mental health outcomes for youth.
Table 1. Participant Demographics
Table 2. Identified Themes & Representative Quotes