Reducing Self-Stigma Among Individuals With History of Childhood Maltreatment

Sponsor
Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. (Other)
Overall Status
Not yet recruiting
CT.gov ID
NCT05818228
Collaborator
Columbia University (Other)
1,000
2
4.7

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

Individuals who report experiencing any kind of abuse during childhood report shame and self-blame, often leading to self-stigma and a reluctance to reveal their experiences and seek help. Such stigma may aggravate the mental health consequences of child maltreatment (CM).

The aim of the proposed study is twofold: (1) to evaluate the effectiveness of a brief video-based intervention in reducing self-stigma among individuals who experienced childhood abuse and/or maltreatment, and (2) to increase openness to seeking treatment.

Condition or Disease Intervention/Treatment Phase
  • Behavioral: Video
N/A

Detailed Description

Prior research suggests that social contact-based interventions are the most efficient way of reducing stigma. This study aims to address self-stigma and empower individuals who self-reported experiencing any kind of abuse during childhood and increase their openness to seeking help, if needed.

A total of 1000 adults with self-report experience of any kind of childhood abuse will be recruited to participate in a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) testing the efficacy of the intervention. Participants will be randomized into one of two arms: 1) A 2-minute video intervention in which a CM survivor (presented by either a female or male actor) shares their personal CM experience and describes how they were able to overcome feelings of shame and self-blame to seek mental health care; or 2) A 2-minute control video using the same actors, but without CM-related content. Both videos will be preceded by and immediately followed by questionnaires assessing self-stigma and openness to seeking treatment. An additional assessment of emotional engagement will be added immediately following intervention delivery. Following the intervention, there will be a 30-day follow-up to examine potential long-term effects.

Study Design

Study Type:
Interventional
Anticipated Enrollment :
1000 participants
Allocation:
Randomized
Intervention Model:
Parallel Assignment
Masking:
Single (Participant)
Primary Purpose:
Other
Official Title:
Reducing Self-Stigma Among Individuals With History of Childhood Maltreatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Anticipated Study Start Date :
Apr 12, 2023
Anticipated Primary Completion Date :
Sep 1, 2023
Anticipated Study Completion Date :
Sep 1, 2023

Arms and Interventions

Arm Intervention/Treatment
Experimental: Video with Childhood Maltreatment-Related Content

Participants will view a video of an actor describing the story of an individual who experienced childhood maltreatment and how they overcame its effects on their life.

Behavioral: Video
A short video aimed at reducing self-stigma among individuals with a history of childhood maltreatment and increasing their help seeking intentions (if needed).

No Intervention: Video without Childhood Maltreatment Content

Participants will view a lifestyle video of an actor describing their day-to-day experiences, without any childhood maltreatment-related themes.

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

  1. Self-Stigma Questionnaire - Post-Intervention [Immediately post-intervention]

    Change in stigma items from baseline - higher score indicates higher stigma (range of 15 to 60)

  2. Self-Stigma Questionnaire - Follow-Up [30 days post-intervention]

    Change in stigma items from baseline - higher score indicates higher stigma (range of 15 to 60)

  3. Help Seeking Intentions (3 items of the ATSPPH) - Post-Intervention [Immediately post-intervention]

    Change in treatment-seeking intentions from baseline - higher score indicates higher help-seeking intentions (range of 3 to 12)

  4. Help Seeking Intentions (3 items of the ATSPPH) - Follow-Up [30 days post-intervention]

    Change in treatment-seeking intentions from baseline - higher score indicates higher help-seeking intentions (range of 3 to 12)

Eligibility Criteria

Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study:
18 Years to 80 Years
Sexes Eligible for Study:
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Yes
Inclusion Criteria:
  • Age 18-80

  • US resident

  • Individuals who endorse yes to one of the following items: physical aggression in family or household, emotional or verbal abuse in family or household, sexual abuse or inappropriate sexual experiences, negligence - physical or emotional, mental illness or substance abuse at home, incarceration of family member

  • Fluent in English and able to give informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:
  • N/A

Contacts and Locations

Locations

No locations specified.

Sponsors and Collaborators

  • Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc.
  • Columbia University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Yuval Neria, PhD, NYSPI and Columbia University

Study Documents (Full-Text)

None provided.

More Information

Publications

None provided.
Responsible Party:
Yuval Y Neria, Director of PTSD team at Columbia University, Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc.
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT05818228
Other Study ID Numbers:
  • 8453
First Posted:
Apr 18, 2023
Last Update Posted:
Apr 18, 2023
Last Verified:
Apr 1, 2023
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement:
No
Plan to Share IPD:
No
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product:
No
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product:
No

Study Results

No Results Posted as of Apr 18, 2023