"I Wanted to Create my Ideal Self": Exploring Avatar Perception of LGBTQ+ Users for Therapy in Virtual Reality
Anish Kundu, Giulia Barbareschi, Midori Kawaguchi, Yuichiro Yano, Mizuki Ohashi, Kaori Kitaoka, Aya Seike, Kouta Minamizawa
TL;DR
The paper addresses mental health disparities among LGBTQ+ individuals and explores VR-based therapy as a conduit for safer, more representative therapeutic experiences. It compares pre-selected versus self-created avatars in a two-user VR setting, using heart rate variability metrics and semi-structured VR interviews to assess embodiment and engagement. The findings indicate a clear preference for custom avatars in therapy and reveal trends toward higher physiological arousal when using self-made avatars, suggesting benefits for embodiment and therapeutic uptake; however, between-group effects were not consistently significant, likely due to novelty effects and small sample size. These results inform the design of inclusive VR therapy platforms by highlighting the value of avatar customization as a precursor to or component of therapy, with implications for broader adoption and future research in the LGBTQ+ community.
Abstract
In this paper we explore the potential of utilizing Virtual Reality (VR) as a therapeutic tool for supporting individuals in the LGBTQ+ community, who often face elevated risks of mental health issues. Specifically, we investigated the effectiveness of using pre-existing avatars compared to allowing individuals to create their own avatars through a website, and their experience in a VR space when using these avatars. We conducted a user study (n=10) measuring heart rate variability (HRV) and gathering subjective feedback through semi-structured interviews conducted in VR. Avatar creation was facilitated using an online platform, and conversations took place within a two-user VR space developed in a commercially available VR application. Our findings suggest that users significantly prefer creating their own avatars in the context of therapy sessions, and while there was no statistically significant difference, there was a consistent trend of enhanced physiological response when using self-made avatars in VR. This study provides initial empirical support for the importance of custom avatar creation in utilizing VR for therapy within the LGBTQ+ community.