Affirmative mindfulness, acceptance, and compassion-based group intervention for sexual minorities (Free2Be): a non-randomized mixed-method study for feasibility with exploratory analysis of effectiveness
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Abstract Objectives Despite sexual minority (SM), i.e. individuals who identify as lesbian women, gay men, bisexual, or pansexual, individuals presenting worse mental health outcomes when compared to heterosexual individuals, they face more difficulties in accessing affirmative and quality health services. This study is a mixed-method non-randomized single-arm trial targeting SM individuals assessing the feasibility and exploratory findings from an affirmative mindfulness, acceptance, and compassion-based group intervention (Free2Be). Method Eighteen participants who self-identified as SM, with a mean age of 30.80 years old, underwent a face-to-face group intervention with 13 weekly sessions (Free2Be). Feasibility was assessed in three domains (acceptability, practicality, and preliminary effectiveness) with self-report questionnaires and hetero-report interviews, during and after the intervention, and using a mixed-methods approach. Using a pre–post and participant-by-participant design, changes were assessed in self-reported internalized stigma, psychopathology indicators, and mindfulness, acceptance, and compassion processes. Results TheFree2Bewas acceptable and feasible in all three domains. Participants who completed the intervention (≥ 80% of attendance) revealed significant or reliable decreases in stress and social anxiety symptoms, self-criticism, and fear of compassion for the self. Conclusions The study provides evidence of the feasibility of the intervention. This affirmative mindfulness, acceptance, and compassion-based group intervention seems to be feasible and acceptable for SM individuals. These promising findings warrant further investigation within a pilot study.
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In a preliminary examination of a group intervention for sexual minority individuals combining elements of ACT and CFT, participants demonstrated reduced stress, social anxiety, self-criticism, and fear of compassion.
“In a preliminary examination of a group intervention for sexual minority individuals combining elements of ACT and CFT, as well as other mindfulness-based interventions (Seabra et al., 2024), participants demonstrated reduced stress, social anxiety, self-criticism, and fear of compassion.”
From Feasibility and preliminary outcomes of compassion-focused acceptance and commitment therapy delivered via telehealth in a community behavioral health clinic (2025) · cites this paper as Seabra et al., 2024
The Method describes Free2Be as drawing on ACT, CFT, and other mindfulness-based techniques. The Results report decreases in all four outcomes among participants who completed the intervention, but the claim omits that restriction: non-completers showed no significant changes. Social anxiety and stress reductions were reliable for some completers, not significant group-level changes. (LLM, conf=0.86)
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References 74 · Cited by 11
Research works printed but not linked: 6
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- Authors
- Seabra, D., Gato, J., Petrocchi, N., & do Céu Salvador, M.
- Affiliations
- University of Coimbra (PT)
- Universidade do Porto (PT)
- John Cabot University (IT)
- Corresponding author
- Seabra, Daniel
- Venue
- Mindfulness
- Published
- 2024-07
- Volume
- 15
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 1814-1830
- ISSN
- 1868-8527 (ISSN-L)
- 1868-8535
- OpenAlex
- W4400926834
- Cited by
- 11
- References
- 74
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 1
- FWCI
- 5.54
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Mindfulness (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Funders
- Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (SFRH/BD/143437/2019)
- Universidade de Coimbra
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy
- Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
- Keywords
- sexual minorities, affirmative therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, compassion-focused therapy, group intervention, feasibility, self-stigma, social anxiety, self-criticism, fear of compassion, access to mental health care
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