Outcomes of a Psychoeducational Intervention to Reduce Internalized Stigma Among Psychosocial Rehabilitation Clients

Objective:This community-based randomized controlled trial was carried out to test the Ending Self-Stigma (ESS) psychoeducational intervention, which is designed to help adults with serious mental illnesses reduce internalization of mental illness stigma and its effects.Methods:A total of 268 adults from five different mental health programs in Maryland took part. After baseline interview, consenting participants were randomly assigned to the nine-week ESS intervention or a minimally enhanced treatment-as-usual control condition. Participants were assessed by using symptom, psychosocial functioning, and self-stigma measures at baseline, postintervention, and six-month follow-up. Demographic characteristics were assessed at baseline.Results:Compared with participants in the control condition, ESS group participants showed significant decreases on the stereotype agreement and self-concurrence subscales of the Self Stigma of Mental Illness Scale, significant improvement on the alienation and stigma resistanc...