Reducing Self-stigma Using Brief Video Intervention

Stigma is a profound obstacle to care. Self-stigma decreases sense of self-competency, as well as healthcare seeking and treatment adherence and creates barriers to pursuing employment, independent living, and fulfilling social life. For example, people with mental disorders avoid, delay, or drop out of treatment due to a fear of labeling and discrimination or experience treatments as ineffective or disrespectful. Therefore, reducing self stigma can reduce self-blame, improve self-confidence and provide support for people living with mental illness. In a prior study, the investigators developed a short video intervention to reduce self-stigma among people with schizophrenia. The investigators would like to test the efficacy of this video using Prolific (a crowdsourcing platform). Specifically, the investigators are interested in recruiting 1,200 Prolific participants, ages 18-35, who mentioned in their profile while enrolling to Prolific that they have a mental health condition, and randomized them into watching the newly developed video to reduce self-stigma or participate in the non-intervention control arm. Participants will be invited to participate in a follow-up survey 30 days after completing the first survey.

The primary objective of this study is to test the video efficacy in reducing self stigma among 1,200 Prolific users who mentioned in their profile while enrolling to Prolific that they have a mental health condition (600 in an intervention group, and 600 in a non-intervention control group). The study participants will be invited to participate in a 30-day follow up questionnaire. The investigators hypothesize finding a reduced level of self-stigma among those who watch the intervention video.

A brief (119 seconds) social contact-based video. The video presented a young Black man in his early twenties, a professional actor, sharing his scripted personal story of struggles with psychotic illness and raising themes of recovery and hope.

The investigators assessed self-stigma using 23 items across six domains: Stereotype Endorsement, Alienation, Stigma Resistance, Perceived Devaluation Discrimination, Secrecy, and Recovery Assessment Scale.

The investigators assessed self-stigma using 23 items across six domains: Stereotype Endorsement, Alienation, Stigma Resistance, Perceived Devaluation Discrimination, Secrecy, and Recovery Assessment Scale.

Post (immediately after the intervention and for the control immediately after doing the baseline survey)

The investigators assessed self-stigma using 23 items across six domains: Stereotype Endorsement, Alienation, Stigma Resistance, Perceived Devaluation Discrimination, Secrecy, and Recovery Assessment Scale.

Inclusion Criteria: English-speaking 18-35-year-old US residents Those who answered yes to "Do you have or have you had a diagnosed, ongoing mental health/illness/condition?" Exclusion Criteria: Non English-speaking Non US residents Age younger than 18 or older than 35 People who replied no to the question on ongoing mental health