Enhancing Emotion Regulation with an In-situ Socially Assistive Robot Among LGBTQ+ Youth with Self-harm Ideation: a Randomised Control Trial

Self-harm is a key concern among young people, this is highlighted by the rising rates self-harm and suicide attempts in recent years. Internationally, young LGBTQ+ people are recognised to report higher prevalence of self-harmful thoughts, behaviours, anxiety and depression than their cisgender, heterosexual peers. Emotion regulation (ER) is known to be a transdiagnostic risk factor, which is widely associated with higher risk of self-harm. Typically, LGBTQ+ populations also report greater difficulties with ER which partially explains association with self-harm.

While LGBTQ+ youth are frequent users of digital technologies and digital interventions are often considered feasible and acceptable, there is limited evidence of the effectiveness of such within these populations. Currently, there is no evidence-based digital interventions targeting LGBTQ+ youth who struggle with self-harm.

To address this gap, the investigators have conducted a small pilot study (n=21) to evaluated one such possible tool - Purrble - as a means to offer in-the-moment emotional support for those with high levels of self-harm risk (high symptoms of anxiety, depression, or self-harmful experiences in the last 6 months). The goals of the study centre around testing the feasibility, acceptability, and usage of Purrble across a 2-week deployment period. These results have been promising, indicating Purrble as a feasible and acceptable intervention, alongside indicators of clinical value during Purrble deployment: i) reduction of anxiety and depression symptoms during deployment and ii) reduced prevalence of self-harm thoughts.

From previous interviews, participants highlighted the positive outcomes which were associated with Purrble use (stopping them reaching the point of thinking about self-harm, being a barrier to self-harm behaviours, and encouraging emotional regulation coping strategies; e.g. grounding, self-soothing). However, these pilot studies did not include a controlled waitlist group, and thus more rigorous investigation of these promising effects is needed - leading to the current study.