Effect of an Anti-Stigma Program on Self-Stigma for Chinese Individuals With Schizophrenia: A Pilot Study With a Quasi-Experimental Design

Abstract

The current study explored the effectiveness of an anti-stigma group program for people with schizophrenia. Thirty-four participants recruited from a psychiatric day hospital were allocated to the experimental group (EG) or control group (CG). The Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMIS), Perceived Psychiatric Stigma Scale (PPSS), and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) were used to measure outcomes, which were evaluated at baseline, immediately post program, and 3-month follow up. Generalized estimating equations showed that the EG attained a greater reduction in the stigma resistance subscale of the ISMIS than the CG at posttest and 3-month follow up. Scores on the self-deprecation subscales ( p = 0.025) and concerns about marital preclusion ( p = 0.037) on the PPSS and BDI-II ( p = 0.027) in the EG showed significant improvement over those of the CG at 3-month follow up. The anti-stigma group program seems to be effective in reducing self-stigma and depressive symptoms in people with schizophrenia. [ Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx (x), xx–xx.]