A brief anti-stigma intervention for Chinese immigrant caregivers of individuals with psychosis: Adaptation and initial findings

Abstract

Mental illness stigma has adverse effects on both the caregivers’ psychological well-being and the effectiveness of care that consumers receive. While anti-stigma interventions for family caregivers from Western settings have recently shown efficacy, these interventions may not be equally applicable across culturally diverse groups. Specifically, Chinese immigrant caregivers experience heightened internalized stigma, which predisposes the adoption of harmful coping strategies and reduced quality of social networks. We present an anti-stigma intervention based on a peer-family group format, co-led by a clinician and a trained family caregiver, to counter stigma among Chinese immigrants. Data are presented from a brief intervention administered to a pilot sample of 11 Chinese immigrant caregivers that provides: psychoeducation, strategies to counter experienced discrimination, and techniques to resist internalized stigma. Case vignettes illustrate implementation of this intervention, and how the peer-family format via interactive contact counteracts internalized stereotypes, encourages adaptive coping strategies, and reinvigorates social networks. Quantitative results further suggest preliminary efficacy in reducing internalized stigma for caregivers who evidenced at least some prior internalized stigma. This study constitutes an initial but important step towards reducing mental illness stigma among Asian Americans, for whom stigma has played a powerful role in the delay and underuse of treatment.

Annual review of Asian American Psychology, 2014.

“…Other studies used qualitative data obtained from interviews and focus groups involving individuals from the target population, family members, community members, and service providers to identify mental health needs and intervention strategies specific to Asian Americans (Javier et al, 2014; Ling et al, 2014). The intervention programs highlighted the mental health needs of Asian American populations at different developmental periods, as well as those of their family members, from early childhood (Huang et al, 2014), to children/adolescents or mothers with children/adolescents (Javier et al, 2014; Ling et al, 2014; Yeh, Borrero, et al, 2014; Zhou et al, 2014), to caregivers (mother or spouse) of adult patients with mental health disorders (L. H. Yang, Lai, et al, 2014), and to older adults (Jang, Chiriboga, et al, 2014).…”

The effect of training interventions of stigma associated with mental illness on family caregivers: a quasi-experimental study

“…Moreover, results of the studies performed by Bernhard et al and Yang et al indicated that training, knowledge, and attitude of the caregivers may improve the mental illness [ 11 , 16 ]. In addition, Cuhadar et al and Cook et al also reached the conclusion that the hiding rate by the caregivers significantly declined post-intervention [ 24 , 26 ].…”

“…The stigma results the feeling of embarrassment in many family caregivers of mental patients. It should be noted that a low percentage of these members undergoes education and sufficient information considering the mental illnesses, signs and symptoms, correct approaches for facing the patients, and stereotyping [ 9 – 11 ].…”

Sociocultural Factors Associated with Caregiver-Psychiatrist Relationship in Taiwan

“…Providers' ability to recognize and help to combat caregivers' self-stigma is essential. In addition to provider-afforded education and consultation about internalized stigma, resources such as Anti-stigma Intervention 55 and In Our Own Voice-Family Companion 56 also demonstrate effects in lowering internalized stigma and empower caregivers with strategies to counter effects of stigma.…”