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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05333848

Effects of Internet-based Storytelling Programs in Reducing Mental Illness Stigma With Mediation by Interactivity and Stigma Content

Mental illness stigma has been a concerning issue globally due to its adverse effects on the recovery of people with mental illness and may delay help-seeking for mental health out of the concern of being stigmatized. With technological advancement, Internet-based mental health stigma reduction interventions have been developed to combat mental illness stigma and the effects have been promising.

The present study aimed to examine the differential effects of Internet-based storytelling programs varied on level of interactivity and stigma content in reducing mental illness stigma.

In the present study, the investigator hypothesized that an Internet-based storytelling program with a combination of interactivity and stigma content would lead to the most significant reduction in public stigma, microaggression, and social distance from people with mental illnesses, followed by Internet-based storytelling program with stigma content-only and interactivity-only, compared with control. Secondly, the investigator hypothesized that the effects observed in stigma reduction would be mediated by perceived autonomy and immersiveness due to the presence of interactivity.

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Key information

Conditions

COMBO Condition Aggression Behavior Control Condition INTERACT Condition Microaggression STIGMA Condition Social Behavior

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong, HKG

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • aged 18 years or above
  • able to read and understand Chinese

Exclusion criteria

  • less than 18 years of age
  • unable to read or understand Chinese

Treatment and study plan

Internet-based storytelling programs with interactivity and stigma content

Behavioral

Participants viewed an interactive stigma content website. Within 10 minutes post-experiment, participants completed the post-experiment questionnaire. One week after the experiment, participants completed the follow-up questionnaire.

Internet-based storytelling programs with stigma content only

Behavioral

Participants viewed a non-interactive stigma content website. Within 10 minutes post-experiment, participants completed the post-experiment questionnaire. One week after the experiment, participants completed the follow-up questionnaire.

Internet-based storytelling programs with interactivity only

Behavioral

Participants viewed an interactive non-stigma content website. Within 10 minutes post-experiment, participants completed the post-experiment questionnaire. One week after the experiment, participants completed the follow-up questionnaire.

Internet-based storytelling programs with no interactivity and no stigma content

Behavioral

Participants viewed a non-interactive non-stigma content website. Within 10 minutes post-experiment, participants completed the post-experiment questionnaire. One week after the experiment, participants completed the follow-up questionnaire.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change from Baseline Public Stigma towards People with Mental Illness within 10 minutes post-experiment, and at 1-week follow-up

    Time frame: baseline, within 10 minutes post-experiment, and 1-week follow-up

    The 21-item Public Stigma Scale-Mental Illness-Short Version was used to assess mental illness public stigma and personal advocacy. Each item was rated on a 6-point Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). Reverse scoring was done for personal advocacy items. Higher scores indicated a higher level of public stigma towards people with mental illness.

  2. Change from Baseline Microaggression within 10 minutes post-experiment, and at 1-week follow-up

    Time frame: baseline, within 10 minutes post-experiment, and 1-week follow-up

    Microaggression was measured by the 17-item Mental Illness Microaggressions Scale, which covers assumption of inferiority, patronization, and fear of mental illness. Each item was rated on a 4-point Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree). Higher scores indicated a higher level of mircroaggression.

  3. Change from Baseline Social Distance from People with Mental Illness within 10 minutes post-experiment, and at 1-week follow-up

    Time frame: baseline, within 10 minutes post-experiment, and 1-week follow-up

    The 8-item Social Distancing Scale was used to measure the social distance from people with mental illnesses. Each item was rated on a 6-point Likert scale from 1 (very willing) to 6 (very unwilling). Higher scores indicated a higher level of social distance from people with mental illness.

  4. Perceived autonomy

    Time frame: within 10 minutes post-experiment

    To assess perceived autonomy of the Web page experience, the 10-item Self Determination Scale (SDS) was used in the post-experiment questionnaire. Each item was a pair of opposite statements, where participants rated their level of perceived choice and self-awareness with a slider from 1 (only A feels true) to 5 (only B feels true). Higher scores indicated a higher level of perceived autonomy.

  5. Immersiveness

    Time frame: within 10 minutes post-experiment

    The 15-item Transportation Scale was used to assess participants' immersiveness in the Web experience. It had a 4-point Likert scale from 1 (very much) to 4 (not at all). Items 2, 5 and 9 were framed negatively. All the items are scored in the direction that higher scores indicated a higher level of immersivenss.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Chinese University of Hong Kong

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2020
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2021
First posted
Apr 19, 2022
Registry last updated
Apr 19, 2022

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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