Video Intervention to Reduce Depression-related Stigma Among Adolescents

Effect of a Video-Based Intervention on Depression-Related Stigma Among Adolescents

Depression-related stigma is a major barrier to help-seeking among adolescents with depression. In China, few interventions specifically target stigma reduction in this population. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a video-based psychoeducational intervention in reducing depression-related stigma and improving help-seeking attitudes among adolescents.

Adolescents aged 8-18 years are recruited from outpatient clinics and schools and screened using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Participants are categorized as depressed or non-depressed and randomly assigned into intervention or control groups: depressed adolescents receive a video on personal stigma, non-depressed adolescents receive a video on social stigma, while control groups watch a neutral myopia education video. The study hypothesizes that video-based education can effectively reduce stigma and promote positive help-seeking behaviors among adolescents.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adolescents aged 8-18 years.
• Able to understand and complete questionnaires in Chinese.
• Normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing.
• Have at least a primary school education level.
• Provide written informed consent from both the participant and their parent or guardian.
• For the depressed group: score > 9 on the Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents (PHQ-A).
• For the non-depressed group: score ≤ 9 on the PHQ-A.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of severe physical illness or neurological disease (e.g., traumatic brain injury).
• Cognitive impairment, intellectual disability, or significant visual/hearing impairment that prevents participation.
• Current psychotic symptoms or severe psychiatric comorbidities.
• Active suicidal or self-harming behaviors during the study period.
• Failure to comply with study procedures or withdrawal of consent.