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. 2014 Feb;19(1):16-23.
doi: 10.1111/j.1475-3588.2012.00669.x. Epub 2012 May 10.

The influence of an anti-stigma intervention on adolescents' attitudes to schizophrenia: a mixed methodology approach

Marina Economou  1   2 , Lily E Peppou  1 , Klio Geroulanou  1 , Eleni Louki  1 , Irene Tsaliagkou  1 , Dimitris Kolostoumpis  1 , Costas N Stefanis  1
Affiliations

The influence of an anti-stigma intervention on adolescents' attitudes to schizophrenia: a mixed methodology approach

Marina Economou et al. Child Adolesc Ment Health. 2014 Feb.

Abstract

Background: This study aimed at exploring adolescents' attitudes to schizophrenia and the impact of an educational intervention on improving them, by employing a mixed methodology.

Method: A total of 1081 secondary-school students were randomly allocated to a control and intervention condition. Stigma endorsement was assessed by a free association card and a questionnaire, before and 2 weeks after the intervention.

Results: The intervention yielded substantial changes in students' beliefs, attitudes and social distance levels as well as in their associations with the term 'severe mental illness'.

Conclusions: Educational interventions can contribute substantially to preventing consolidation of unfavourable attitudes towards mental illness.

Keywords: Stigma; adolescents; attitudes; educational intervention; schizophrenia; secondary-school students.

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References

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