Effectiveness of a Group Psychological Intervention in Reducing Self-stigma Among Patients With Mental Disorders

Efficacy of a Group Psychological Intervention in Reducing Self-Stigma Among Outpatients at the Psychiatric Hospital: A Randomized Controlled Trial

At the Psychiatric Hospital, there are limited mental health professionals to offer the standard of care that is expected at a psychiatric institution. Psychotherapy is most affected. However, there are mental health professionals in training and long waiting times before clients are seen, which provides an opportunity for an intervention to be carried out. The purpose of the study therefore, is to determine whether a group psychological intervention can primarily reduce self-stigma among outpatients at the Psychiatric Hospital. The intervention's effects on self-efficacy and quality of life will also be assessed.

Study population: outpatients in the Outpatient Department at The Psychiatric Hospital

Target population: clients with two-weekly appointments

Procedures for recruitment and consent

Participants will be chosen using available lists of persons who come to clinic on a two-weekly basis on four(4) days of the week (every day except the day the Principal Investigator is responsible for conducting clinic), for two consecutive weeks. Twenty-six will be chosen each day (for eight (8) days) and randomized to intervention and treatment-as-usual (Thirteen (13) persons to each group). Participants will be selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and consent will be obtained.

Randomization will be carried out by Stata 14

Sample size

Using the means and standard deviations for the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Inventory (ISMI) used in a randomized controlled trial and Stata 14 for sample size calculation, the sample size recommended is eighty-four (84) with forty-two (42) per group. This will give a power (for the study) of eighty per cent (80%).

However, the aim will be two-hundred and eight (208) clients based on the following:

• Target population: two-hundred and fifty (250). Approximately twenty-five (25) patients come to clinic daily, most of whom come on a two-weekly basis. Therefore, this will allow eighty-three per cent (83%) of the population to be part of the study.
• Maximum number of persons in a group- thirteen (13)
• Maximum number of groups that can be held before clinic begins- one (1)
• Time for thesis
• Taking into account that persons may not be willing to participate and so aiming to include as many persons as possible

Method

There will be six (6) sessions covering six (6) topics. One topic will be covered at each session. Sessions will last sixty (60) to ninety (90) minutes.

Data collection

- Administration of the ISMI, the General self-efficacy scale and World Health Organization (WHO)5 Well Being Index and a questionnaire to the intervention and control groups before the intervention and after the intervention. This will be done by a health professional not related to the study.

Permission was obtained from producer of ISMI. WHO5 Well-Being Index is free to use and General self-efficacy scale does not require permission, once referenced.

All three scales have been found to be valid and reliable.

• A pilot study on 26 persons will be conducted to test the questionnaire and scales.
• To ensure accurate completion of questionnaire and scales by each participant, each item will be read and explained before participants asked to select answer. Questions on clarification will be encouraged.Time will also be given after, for participants to read through answers if needed. Additionally, when collecting questionnaires and scales, the mental health professional will scan through to ensure all questions answered.

Questionnaires and scales will be identified using participants' record numbers to facilitate verification of information such as whether medications or health care provider changed during the course of the intervention.

Statistical analyses

• Summary statistics
• Regression analysis of endpoint score adjusting baseline score and looking at the difference between the intervention and treatment-as-usual groups.

Intention to treat analysis will be used.

- Software to be used: Stata 14 Missing entries will be included in the analysis Data handling and record keeping

Questionnaires kept in secure room for at least five (5) years

Inclusion Criteria:

• Attend clinic every 2 weeks
• Willingness to attend all sessions

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cognitive impairment that limits the participant from understanding material and answering questions