3387 - PRELIMINARY FINDINGS OF A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW ON BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS TO SOCIAL PARTICIPATION AMONG LGBTQIA+ INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

Session: 3268 - THE INTERSECTION BETWEEN SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, AND DISABILITY: CROSS-CULTURAL AND CROSS-GENERATIONAL INSIGHTS
AUTHORS:
Pelletier Pénelope (Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal ~ Montreal ~ Canada) , Chourot-Ferland Samuel (Faculté de science politique et de droit, Université du Québec à Montreal ~ Montreal ~ Canada) , Hong-Kim Annette (Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University ~ Montreal ~ Canada) , Croteau Marc-Olivier (Bibliothèque Thérèse-Gouin-Décarie, Université de Montréal ~ Montreal ~ Canada) , Martino Alan (Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary ~ Calgary ~ Canada) , Yule Ashleigh (Ashleigh Yule Child Psychology, Athabasca University ~ Calgary ~ Canada) , Neumann-Mascis Andreas (The Meeting Point ~ Boston ~ United States of America)
Abstract text:
Introduction:
Individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, or other sexual orientations and forms of gender expression (LGBTQIA+) frequently encounter substantial and systemic barriers to social participation. Healthcare, employment, education, and community life represent core pillars of meaningful social participation.


Purpose:
To examine the barriers and facilitators to social participation among people with disabilities who identify as LGBTQIA+.


Method:
The search was conducted across several electronic databases, including MEDLINE (Ovid), APA PsycINFO (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), CINAHL Complete (EBSCOhost), and Web of Science. The search strategy was developed and validated by two professional librarians in accordance with the PRESS Guideline Statement and incorporated a combination of free-text keywords and controlled vocabulary related to social participation, disability, and sexual and gender diversity. Eligible studies included those published from each database's inception through February 2025, with no language restrictions. We considered studies involving various types of disabilities, including but not limited to motor, visual, auditory, intellectual, language, and cognitive disabilities. Data management and extraction followed established protocols using Covidence software. Two independent reviewers performed study selection, data extraction, risk of bias assessment, and quality appraisal using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Discrepancies were resolved through discussion or consultation with a third reviewer.


Results:
From the 13,902 records identified, 4,920 duplicates were removed and 8,626 records excluded based on eligibility criteria. Currently, 244 full-text articles are under review to finalize study selection.


Conclusions:
This systematic review will synthesize current evidence on strategies designed to promote the social participation of people with disabilities who identify as LGBTQIA+. Updating knowledge on barriers and facilitators can support clinicians in enhancing their practice and in adopting inclusive strategies to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities within the context of sexual and gender diversity.