Advancing Research to Eliminate Mental Illness Stigma: The Design and Evaluation of a Single-Arm Intervention Among University Students in Singapore

Frontiers in Psychology

Mythily Subramaniam¹  Nawira Baig²  Ellaisha Samari³  Siow Ann Chong³  Shazana Shahwan³  Chong Min Janrius Goh³  Wei Jie Ong³  Edimansyah Abdin³  Gregory Tee Hng Tan³  Kian Woon Kwok⁴ 

[1] Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Singapore, Singapore;Nursing Department, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore;Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore;School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore;

关键词: stigma;    social distance;    education;    contact;    depression;    knowledge;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01151

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundAnti-stigma interventions for school and college students have been studied in several countries, but to the best of our knowledge, this has not been addressed in Singapore. The current study was designed to address this lacuna and aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an anti-stigma intervention focusing on depression among university students in Singapore.MethodsA one-off intervention comprising education and personal contact with a person with lived experience of depression was carried out in nine consecutive sessions over 6 months (October 2018 to April 2019) among 390 university students. Knowledge of depression and extent of stigma toward mental illness were assessed pre- and post-intervention as well as at 3-month follow-up.ResultsThe intervention was effective in improving depression knowledge (d = 1.09; p < 0.001), as well as reducing social distancing (d = 0.54; p < 0.001) and personal stigma (dangerous/undesirable: d = 0.60; p < 0.001 and weak not sick: d = 0.10; p < 0.033) pre- to post-intervention as well as pre- intervention to 3-month follow-up (p < 0.005).LimitationsWhile 3-month follow-up data indicates favorable medium-term impact on knowledge and stigma; the study lacks long-term follow-up to examine the impact of anti-stigma interventions across time. The data were collected through self-report measures; however, social desirability bias is possible despite the assurances of confidentiality.ConclusionGiven the impact of the intervention, there is a need to consider the feasibility, challenges, and enablers of implementation of such interventions into the curriculum of university students to ensure a broader and sustained outreach and stigma reduction.

【 授权许可】

Unknown