A Group-based Treatment for Self-stigma in People With Mental Disorders in North-east Italy

Launched by UNIVERSITA DI VERONA · Aug 20, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a group-based treatment called Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy (NECT) aimed at reducing self-stigma in individuals with mental disorders. Self-stigma is when people with mental health issues internalize negative beliefs about themselves, which can lead to feelings of hopelessness, lower self-esteem, and difficulties in their daily lives. The trial involves 416 participants from 26 mental health centers in Northeast Italy and will evaluate how well NECT helps improve self-esteem, hope, and overall mental well-being.

To be eligible for the trial, participants must be at least 18 years old and have a diagnosis of certain mental health conditions like schizophrenia or major depressive disorder. They should have been stable in their treatment for at least three months and need to speak and understand Italian. During the study, participants will attend 20 group sessions, where they can expect to share their experiences and learn strategies to combat self-stigma. This research aims to find effective ways to help individuals struggling with self-stigma and ultimately improve their recovery.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Participants must be 18 years or older.
• • 2. Individuals must have a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizoid disorder, schizophreniform disorder, bipolar I or II disorder, or major depressive disorder, according to DSM-5 criteria.
• • 3. Participants must be outpatients with clinical stability for at least 3 months, with no changes in pharmacological treatment during this period.
• • 4. Participants must have sufficient knowledge of written and spoken Italian.
• • 5. Participants must score above 1 on the ISMI (Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness) scale, indicating at least moderate levels of self-stigma.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Individuals unable to provide informed consent are excluded.
• • 2. Participants with intellectual disabilities are excluded.
• • 3. Individuals with primary diagnosis of personality disorder or substance dependence condition are excluded.
• • 4. Participants engaged in other programs that could influence self-stigma (e.g., social cognitive rehabilitation, social skills training) during the study are excluded.