Development of an Anti-Stigma Program on Mental Disorders: Towards Cultivating Consciousness for Achieving an Inclusive Society

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K02281
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 08020:Social welfare-related
• Research Institution: Nihon Fukushi University
• Principal Investigator: Otani Kyoko 日本福祉大学, 社会福祉学部, 教授 (90434612)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 精神障害 / アンチスティグマ / 啓発プログラム / 当事者参加

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Through collaboration with the A Anti-Stigma toward Mental Health Team in a Community Support Committee for Independent Living (hereafter referred to as the "A Team"), efforts were made to develop an anti-stigma program on mental health, establish indicators for measuring its effectiveness, and promote the dissemination of effective programs. The A Team consists of individuals with lived experience, families, professionals in mental health, and government agencies, enabling collaborative research with diverse participants.
Building upon existing anti-stigma programs, improvements were made through reflections on practical experiences and insights gained from lectures by researchers. The effectiveness of the interventions was measured using scales for stigma attitudes and social distance.
Although the usual practices could not be carried out due to the impact of COVID-19, an effective anti-stigma program was developed through four years of implementation in high schools.

Free Research Field

社会福祉

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

第一に、参加型アクションリサーチであり、精神障害当事者、家族、支援職員、行政といった多様なステークホルダーが参画する共同研究である。啓発プログラムの設計、アンチスティグマ研究の学び、改良、すべてにおいてチームで進められた。
第二に、本啓発プログラムは社会モデルの視点に立つ。精神障害や病の理解の促進よりも、地域で当たり前に暮らす一員としての精神障害者との出会いを目指した。知識とスティグマは関連しないことが報告されており、人生の先輩として経験を共有する機会の提供を中心にした。第三に、本プログラムは精神障害に対するイメージを好転させ、社会的距離を縮めることが検証され、エビデンスを得た。