Pitt PRIDE IM

Check out our new research on a chatbot, called REALbot, that we developed for rural LGBTQ+ youth.

Read the full article here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782923000684

Through REALbot, we wanted to teach rural LGBTQ+ youth how to have more positive social media experiences. We hoped that these youth would report better social media skills and less social isolation and depression after using REALbot. We delivered REALbot through Facebook Messenger and Instagram.

Our participants were 20 U.S. rural LGBTQ+ youth ages 14-19 who reported feeling socially isolated. They used REALbot for one week and completed two surveys, one before and one after using REALbot.

The youth were generally satisfied with REALbot and found it easy to use. They offered suggestions for chatbot improvement, such as making it sound less robotic. Lastly, youth who were more engaged with REALbot reported having better social media skills and feeling less socially isolated and depressed.

Chatbots, like REALbot, are an opportunity to provide tailored mental health resources to and reduce social isolation amongst rural LGBTQ+ youth, who often lack access to mental health support, both in-person and online.

Dr. Cesar Escobar-Viera et al. just published a new Pitt PRIDE iM study examining social media experiences as well as impressions regarding digital interventions for managing social isolation among rural-living . This paper highlights both positive and negative social media experiences, as well as the significance of catering specific platforms to certain audiences. Additionally, youth identified advantages and disadvantages of various intervention delivery methods including a mobile app, social media pages or groups, conversational agents or chatbots, and websites.

In summary, positive social media experiences stem from feeling represented, making connections, and engaging in varied social media platforms. Additionally, a combination of different delivery methods is necessary to engage socially isolated youth digitally.

Read the full article here:

Examining Social Media Experiences and Attitudes Toward Technology-Based Interventions for Reducing Social Isolation Among LGBTQ Youth Living in Rural United States: An Online Qualitative Study PurposeLesbian, gay, bis*xual, transgender, and q***r (LGBTQ) youth living in rural areas who feel isolated are at high risk of depression and suicidality. Given the lack of support in their offline communities, many rural-living LGBTQ youth turn to social media for social support. In this qualitati...

Check it out! We just published an article exploring social media experiences and impressions about digital interventions. Full article is linked in our bio!