This study tests a single-session intervention (SSI) targeting risk factors for depression and eating disorders among sexual and gender minority (SGM) adolescents. Youth ages 13-17 who identify as sexual or gender minorities will be randomized to the intervention condition (Project Body Neutrality SSI) or a control (supportive therapy SSI). Participants will complete questionnaires before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and 3-months after completing the intervention so that the study team can investigate if Project Body Neutrality leads to reductions in depression and eating disorder symptoms compared to the control.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
220
Online, 30-minute self-guided intervention for youth ages 13-17
Online, 30-minute self-guided activity for youth ages 13-17
Northwestern University
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire - 10 item, 3 factor version (EDE-Q; Fairburn & Beglin, 2008; Habashy et al., 2023)
A 10-item questionnaire designed to assess the range and severity of features associated with a diagnosis of eating disorder. The original measure's factor structure has failed to replicate across many samples, especially for diverse populations. This version has achieved strict invariance by gender and race/ethnicity. Higher global scores indicate greater eating disorder severity (primary outcome). Outcomes for the three subscales (Dietary Restaurant, Preoccupation with Eating Concern, and Shape/Weight Overvaluation) will also be reported. Each item is on a 0 to 6 scale and the scores are computed as means.
Time frame: Pre-Intervention to 3-month follow-up
Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ; Messer et al., 1995)
A 13-item questionnaire designed to assess depressive symptoms in youth. Total scores range from 0 to 26, with higher scores indicating greater depression severity (primary outcome).
Time frame: Pre-Intervention to 3-month follow-up
Beck Hopelessness Scale - 4 item version (BHS; Perczel Forintos et al., 2013)
Asks respondents to rate four statements reflecting their sense of hopelessness from 0 (Absolutely Disagree) to 3 (Absolutely Agree). Total scores range from 0 to 12, with higher scores indicating greater levels of hopelessness.
Time frame: Pre-Intervention to Immediately Post-Intervention; Pre-Intervention to 3-month follow-up
State Hope Scale - 3 item Pathways subscale (SHS; Snyder et al., 1996)
Asks respondents to rate three statements from 1 (Definitely False) to 8 (Definitely True). Total score ranges from 3 to 24, with higher scores reflecting greater perceived ability to identify goal-oriented routes.
Time frame: Pre-Intervention to Immediately Post-Intervention; Pre-Intervention to 3-month follow-up
Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS; Alleva et al., 2017)
Asks respondents to rate seven statements from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree). Total scores range from 7 to 35, where higher scores indicate greater appreciation for body functionality.
Time frame: Pre-Intervention to Immediately Post-Intervention; Pre-Intervention to 3-month follow-up
Body Image States Scale (BISS; Cash et al., 2002)
Asks respondents to rate six items from 1 (poor body image state) to 9 (favorable body image state). Total scores range from 6 to 54, where higher scores indicate a more favorable body image state.
Time frame: Pre-Intervention to Immediately Post-Intervention; Pre-Intervention to 3-month follow-up
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