Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) is a digitally assisted psychotherapy that has potential evidence to suggest that VRET may be effective to reduce posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Meanwhile, empirical studies have indicated that LGBTQ individuals are at higher risk of developing PTSD, with the prevalence estimates of up to 48%, which is much higher than the general population. This current study therefore sought to investigate whether VRET will be efficacious to treat PTSD among LGBTQ individuals. This study is an intervention research using quasi-experimental research design to collect data from 60 LGBTQ individuals in selected support groups in Kenya. The samples of 60 LGBTQ individuals were screened positive for PTSD symptoms, using the post-traumatic stress disorder checklist (PCL-5). The recruited participants were assigned into two research groups namely, experimental (N = 30), and control (N = 30) groups. Participants at experimental group were treated with VRET, whereas, participants at control group did not go through VRET protocols. Participants were assessed at baseline, midline and a 3-month follow-up assessment at end line. The results from independent sample t test showed that VRET was effective in the treatment of PTSD (p = 0.042). The partial Eta Square effect size of (η2 = 0.080; p = 0.042) at endline is an indication that VRET has a medium effect size. The study concluded that VRET is a potentially effective psychotherapeutic approach for the treatment of PTSD and it can be used to help the LGBTQ individuals to mitigate the severity of PTSD among the SGM population in Kenya.
Cite this paper
Mbeneka, C. , Munene, A. and Waithima, A. (2023). The Efficacy of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy in Treating PTSD among LGBTQ Individuals in Selected Support Groups in Kenya. Open Access Library Journal, 10, e310. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1110310.
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