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

Year 2025, Volume: 5 Issue: 2, 156 - 167

Joe Hasei , Yosuke Matsumoto Hiroki Kawai Yuko Okahisa Manabu Takaki Toshifumi Ozaki

https://doi.org/10.57019/jmv.1639701

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<0.001), particularly among those with lower real-world confidence, who exhibited an average gain of 2.08 points. Approximately half of all first-time participants were aged 16 years or younger, which suggested the platform’s value for early intervention. Additionally, the metaverse environment was rated significantly higher in safety/privacy (3.94/5), self-expression (4.02/5), and accessibility (4.21/5) compared with the real-world baseline, and 73.6% reported they felt more accepted virtually. However, some participants who had high confidence offline experienced mild adaptation challenges (mean decrease of 0.58 points), which highlighted that metaverse-based support may be more effective as a complement to in-person services rather than a replacement. Overall, these findings demonstrate that metaverse-based support groups can reduce psychological barriers for LGBTQ+ youth by facilitating safe and affirming virtual environments. The metaverse may help alleviate emotional distress and prevent further severe outcomes, such as suicidal ideation by providing early intervention, especially for adolescents unable to access conventional in-person services. Further research should examine its integration with existing clinical, community, and educational resources to ensure comprehensive, long-term support.

Keywords

LGBTQ+ Youth, Social Isolation, Suicide Prevention, Avatar-Based Interventions

Ethical Statement

This article followed the principles of scientific research and publication ethics.

Supporting Institution

This research was supported by The Mitsubishi Foundation, Japan (Grant No. 202430037); Hashimoto Foundation Inc., Japan (FY2023); Children and Families Agency, Government of Japan (Grant No. 165).

Thanks

We express our deepest gratitude to all the LGBTQ+ youth who participated in this study and to NPO Niji-zu for their invaluable collaboration in organizing and facilitating the support group sessions. We also thank Cluster, Inc. for their technical cooperation in providing the "cluster" metaverse platform used in this study; their technology was instrumental in creating an accessible and engaging virtual environment for our participants.

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