Reducing public stigma toward individuals with psychosis across race and gender: A randomized controlled trial of young adults

Doron Amsalem, Linda Valeri, Samantha E. Jankowski, Lawrence H. Yang, Iruma Bello, Ilana Nossel, Igor Malinovsky, Stephen Smith, Hong Ngo, Sarah A. Lieff, Shannon Pagdon, Amanda Lipp, John C. Markowitz, Yuval Neria, Lisa B. Dixon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Social contact-based interventions effectively reduce stigma toward psychosis. We recently demonstrated the efficacy of a 90-second video intervention in reducing stigma. The current randomized controlled study presents four briefer videos differing in presenter's gender/race, with baseline, postintervention, and 30-day follow-up assessments. The study replicates previous findings and examine whether concordance of presenter's and viewer's race/gender enhanced the anti-stigma effect. Methods: Using a crowdsourcing platform, we recruited 1993 participants ages 18–35 years to one of four brief video-based interventions (Black/White female, Black/White male presenters) or a nonintervention control condition. In the videos, a young presenter with psychosis humanized their illness through an evocative description of living a meaningful and productive life. Results: Group-by-time ANOVA showed a significant group-by-time interaction for the total score of all five stigma domains: social distance, stereotyping, separateness, social restriction, and perceived recovery. One-way ANOVA showed greater reductions in video intervention groups than control at post-intervention and 30-day follow-up, but no differences between video groups. Matching race/gender did not further reduce stigma. Conclusions: This randomized controlled study replicated and extended previous research findings, by showing stigma reduction across videos that differ in the presenter's gender and race, thus enhancing generalizability. The videos described the experience of psychosis and reduced stigma, suggesting their potential utility on social media platforms to increase the likelihood of seeking services and ultimately may improve access to care among young individuals with psychosis. Future research should address intersectional stigma experiences by focusing on race/gender and culturally tailoring the narrative.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)195-202
Number of pages8
JournalSchizophrenia Research
Volume243
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2022

Keywords

  • Intervention
  • Psychosis
  • Race
  • Social contact
  • Stigma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Biological Psychiatry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Reducing public stigma toward individuals with psychosis across race and gender: A randomized controlled trial of young adults'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this