LGBTQIA+ Adolescents’ Perceptions of Gender Tailoring and Portrayal in a Virtual-Reality-Based Alcohol-Prevention Tool: A Qualitative Interview Study and Thematic Analysis

Christina Prediger, Katherina Heinrichs, Hürrem Tezcan-Güntekin, Gertraud Stadler, Laura Pilz González, Patricia Lyk, Gunver Majgaard and Christiane Stock ()
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Christina Prediger: Institute of Health and Nursing Science, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
Katherina Heinrichs: Institute of Health and Nursing Science, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
Hürrem Tezcan-Güntekin: Department of Health and Education, Alice Salomon University of Applied Science, Alice-Salomon-Platz 5, 12627 Berlin, Germany
Gertraud Stadler: Institute of Gender in Medicine, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
Laura Pilz González: Institute of Health and Nursing Science, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
Patricia Lyk: SDU Game Development and Learning Technology, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense, Denmark
Gunver Majgaard: SDU Game Development and Learning Technology, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense, Denmark
Christiane Stock: Institute of Health and Nursing Science, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 4, 1-20

Abstract: Gender-sensitive interventions in alcohol-prevention that target adolescents often lead to binary tailoring for girls and boys. However, increased societal and legal recognition of sexual and gender minorities as well as research with this age group demand a broader understanding of gender. Therefore, the present study addresses the question of how interventions should be further developed to include sexual and gender diversity by exploring LGBTQIA+ adolescents’ perceptions of gender portrayal and gender-tailoring using Virtual LimitLab —a virtual-reality simulation for training refusal skills under peer pressure to consume alcohol. Qualitative interviews with 16 LGBTQIA+ adolescents were conducted after individual simulation testing. Using a thematic analysis with reflexive orientation, four themes were identified: Statements on relevance of gender , opinions on tailoring- and flirting options , and opinions on characters . Participants called for greater diversity representation among the characters , regarding gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as for representing, e.g., racialised peers. Moreover, participants suggested expanding the simulation’s flirting options by adding bisexual and aromantic/asexual options. Divergent views on the relevance of gender and wishes for tailoring options reflected the participant group’s heterogeneity. Based on these findings, future gender-sensitive interventions should conceptualise gender in a complex and multidimensional manner that intersects with further diversity categories.

Keywords: LGBTQIA+; sexual and gender minorities; adolescents; virtual reality; alcohol prevention; gender; gender-sensitive; thematic analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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