About the Stigma project
The purpose of this project was to develop a culturally adapted anti-stigma intervention for Chinese Americans immigrant relatives of schizophrenia patients.
This project is part of the Diagnosis and Engagement initiative, which seeks to understand how to effectively increase the engagement of racial and ethnic underserved populations into mental health care.
Project details
We developed a time-limited intervention for Chinese American relatives of individuals with psychosis that address the following three areas:
- Psychoeducation
- Internalized stigma
- Experienced stigma
We began with a template of a three-session group treatment that utilizes empirically-tested principles to increase knowledge of psychiatric disorders and to reduce stigma specifically related to enhancing work performance and social recovery. We began with this intervention template but solicited feedback from participants to modify the intervention accordingly as we progressed.
Following an extensive literature search, we proposed that the group be led by two co-leaders– one a more ‘seasoned’ relative caregiver in conjunction with a clinician– to enhance anti-stigma intervention effects.
Publications
Yang, L.H., Lai, G.Y., Tu, M., Luo, M., Wonpat-Borja, A., Jackson, V.W., Lewis-Fernández, R., Dixon, L. A brief, anti-stigma intervention for Chinese immigrant caregivers of individuals with psychosis: Adaptation and initial findings. Transcultural Psychiatry, 51 (2), 139-57. PMCID: PMC3993525
Report
We invite you to read our periodic report, Cultural Competence Matters relating to this topic: “A novel stigma reduction intervention for caregivers of Chinese immigrants with psychotic disorders.” You may see all of our reports here: Cultural Competence Matters.
To see an alphabetical list of all the projects being conducted at our Center, please click here: Research projects at the CECC.