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Metaverse Support Groups for LGBTQ+ Youth: An Observational Study on Safety, Self-Expression, and Early Intervention

Hasei, Joe, Matsumoto, Yosuke, Kawai, Hiroki, Okahisa, Yuko, Takaki, Manabu, Ozaki, Toshifumi·2025·Journal of Metaverse
DOI 10.57019/jmv.1639701
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Abstract

This study explored whether metaverse-based support groups could address social isolation and suicide risks among LGBTQ+ youths by providing enhanced anonymity, avatar-based self-expression, and improved accessibility. Over one year, 53 individuals aged 14–23 participated in regular online sessions facilitated via the "cluster" metaverse platform by a non-profit LGBTQ+ organization. Each 90-minute session included voice and text-based interactions within a specially designed single-floor virtual space featuring conversation areas and a designated "safe area" for emotional regulation. Post-session questionnaires (5-point Likert scales) captured demographics, avatar preferences, self-confidence, and perceived safety, self-expression, and accessibility; responses were analyzed with Pearson's chi-squared test and Mann–Whitney U tests (α=0.05). Results indicated that 79.2% of participants selected avatars aligned with their gender identity, reporting high satisfaction (mean = 4.10/5) and minimal discomfort (mean = 1.79/5). Social confidence was significantly higher in the metaverse compared with real-world settings (p

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  • Hasei et al. (2025) found that in a metaverse support group study with 53 LGBTQ+ youth aged 14-23 in Japan, 79.2% of participants selected avatars aligned with their gender identity, reporting high satisfaction (mean 4.10/5) and minimal discomfort (mean 1.79/5).

    “In the metaverse support group study conducted by Hasei et al. (2025) with 53 LGBTQ+ youth aged 14-23 in Japan, 79.2% of participants selected avatars aligned with their gender identity, reporting high satisfaction with that choice (mean 4.10/5) and minimal discomfort (mean 1.79/5).”

    From Artificial intelligence and immersive technologies for LGBTQ+ youth: a narrative review (2026) · cites this paper as Hasei et al. (2025)

  • Hasei et al. (2025) reached complementary conclusions to Meade et al. (2025).

    “The metaverse support group study by Hasei et al. (2025) in Japan reached complementary conclusions.”

    From Artificial intelligence and immersive technologies for LGBTQ+ youth: a narrative review (2026) · cites this paper as Hasei et al. (2025)

  • The ability to present oneself in a VR environment with a body, name, pronouns, and appearance that align with one's gender identity or sexual self-concept can be deeply affirming, particularly for transgender and gender diverse youth.

    “The ability to present oneself in a VR environment with a body, name, pronouns, and appearance that align with one's gender identity or sexual self-concept can be deeply affirming, particularly for transgender and gender diverse youth for whom everyday offline embodiment may be a source of significant distress (Meade et al., 2025;Hasei et al., 2025).”

    From Artificial intelligence and immersive technologies for LGBTQ+ youth: a narrative review (2026) · cites this paper as Hasei et al., 2025

  • Participants described their avatar selection as an act of self-expression and identity exploration that enhanced their sense of psychological safety within the group.

    “participants described their avatar selection as an act of self-expression and identity exploration that enhanced their sense of psychological safety within the group.”

    From Artificial intelligence and immersive technologies for LGBTQ+ youth: a narrative review (2026) · cites this paper as Hasei et al. (2025)

  • Hasei et al. (2025) found that over 1 year of regular 90 min sessions via the 'cluster' metaverse platform, LGBTQ+ youth aged 14-23 who were unable to access conventional in-person services showed improvements in perceived safety, self-confidence, and avatar-based self-expression.

    “Over 1 year of regular 90 min sessions conducted via the "cluster" metaverse platform, LGBTQ+ youth aged 14-23 who were unable to access conventional in-person services showed improvements in perceived safety, self-confidence, and avatar-based self-expression.”

    From Artificial intelligence and immersive technologies for LGBTQ+ youth: a narrative review (2026) · cites this paper as Hasei et al. (2025)

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Metadata

Authors
Hasei, J., Matsumoto, Y., Kawai, H., Okahisa, Y., Takaki, M., & Ozaki, T.
Affiliations
  • Okayama University
  • Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceu-tical Sciences, Okayama University
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Metaverse
Publisher
Izmir Akademi Dernegi
Published
2025-12-31
Volume
5
Issue
2
Pages
156-167
ISSN
2792-0232
DOI
10.57019/jmv.1639701
Cited by
7
References
1

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