An examination of two brief stigma reduction strategies: filmed personal contact and hallucination simulations.
Mental illness stigma is quite prevalent with dire consequences. A number of interventions to decrease stigma have been formulated, but have variable effectiveness and limited dissemination. This research examined the impact of two brief interventions: a film depicting individuals with schizophrenia (filmed contact) and a simulation of auditory hallucinations. Participants (N = 143) were randomly assigned to one of three interventions: (1) filmed contact, (2) simulation, or (3) no intervention, and completed two stigma measures prior to, immediately after, and 1 week after the intervention. The filmed contact intervention led to decreases in stigma which persisted across 1 week. However, the simulation led to increases in stigma. The results suggest that a filmed contact intervention may decrease two aspects of mental illness stigma (social distance and negative emotions), which has implications for wide dissemination. The efficacy of a hallucination simulations intervention remains dubious.
Brown
Seth A
SA
Department of Psychology, University of Northern Iowa, Baker Hall 334, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0505, USA. seth.brown@uni.edu
Evans
Yolanda
Y
Espenschade
Kelly
K
O'Connor
Maureen
M
D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006212:Hallucinations; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016544:Patient Simulation; D012929:Psychological Distance; D012559:Schizophrenia; D013240:Stereotyping; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods; D014743:Videotape Recording; D055815:Young Adult