Reducing Public Stigma Toward People With Schizophrenia Among Social Workers: A Quasi-Experimental Outcome Study

Purpose: Social workers are the largest direct service providers for people with schizophrenia (PWS) in communities, yet research on reducing stigma toward PWS has overlooked this group. To elucidate the stigma toward PWS therein, this study was conducted. Method: MSW students in the mainland of China were assigned to the intervention group or control group. Three levels of contact—knowledge education, at-home interviews, and services—were organized in the intervention group, whereas the control group received no contact. Participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and intended behavior were measured at three time points. Results: The intervention group's knowledge ( p < .01), authoritarian attitude ( p < .01), benevolent attitude ( p < .01), community mental health ideology ( p < .01), and intended behavior ( p < .01) improved, compared to the control group. Discussion: Contact in communities can reduce the stigma toward PWS among social workers. Interactive contact in particular can reduce the stigma.