Evaluating the effectiveness of a consumer delivered anti-stigma program: replication with graduate-level helping professionals.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated a consumer delivered anti-stigma presentation, In Our Own Voice (IOOV), with Masters of Social Work (MSW) students, replicating a previous study with undergraduates.


METHODS
Thirty MSW students completed pre and post surveys to measure changes in attitude, knowledge and social distance after the presentation.


RESULTS
Paired samples t-tests showed increases in attitude (p < .001), knowledge (p < .05), and social distance (p < .001). Compared with previous research on undergraduate students, MSW students scored higher on all three pre-test measures (all p < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
The results further support the effectiveness of IOOV and indicate that graduate level helping professionals can benefit from anti-stigma programs. Future research should go beyond self-report knowledge and attitude evaluation, test the efficacy of the components of the IOOV program (video, contact with presenters), and test the lasting effects of the program.
Pittman
James O E
JO
Department of Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, The Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, San Diego, CA, USA. james.pittman@va.gov
Noh
Sunghwan
S
Coleman
Daniel
D
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003479:Curriculum; D004500:Education, Graduate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011287:Prejudice; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012929:Psychological Distance; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012947:Social Work / Q000193:education*