Video Intervention to Reduce Depression-related Stigma Among Adolescents

NCT07282366 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: LYG20220038
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 500
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Depression-related stigma is a major barrier to help-seeking among adolescents with depression. In China, few interventions specifically target stigma reduction in this population. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a video-based psychoeducational intervention in reducing depression-related stigma and improving help-seeking attitudes among adolescents. Adolescents aged 8-18 years are recruited from outpatient clinics and schools and screened using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Participants are categorized as depressed or non-depressed and randomly assigned into intervention or control groups: depressed adolescents receive a video on personal stigma, non-depressed adolescents receive a video on social stigma, while control groups watch a neutral myopia education video. The study hypothesizes that video-based education can effectively reduce stigma and promote positive help-seeking behaviors among adolescents.

Conditions

Depression - Major Depressive Disorder

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Depression Stigma Scale

  The Depression Stigma Scale is used as the primary outcome measure for participants with a baseline PHQ-A score \> 9. The Depression Stigma Scale is an 18-item self-report measure rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Total scores range from 0 to 72, with higher scores indicating greater stigma toward depression

  At baseline, immediately post-intervention, and week 8

• Depression social stigma scale

  The Depression Social Stigma Scale is used as the primary outcome measure for participants with a baseline PHQ-A score ≤ 9. The Depression Social Stigma Scale is an 18-item self-report questionnaire rated on a 4-point Likert scale. Total scores range from 18 to 72, with higher scores indicating greater social stigma toward depression

  At baseline, imediately post-intervention, and week 8

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale-Short Form

  At baseline, imediately post-intervention, and week 8

• General Help-Seeking Questionnaire

  At baseline, imediately post-intervention, and week 8

• Depression Literacy Questionnaire

  At baseline, imediately post-intervention, and week 8

Other Outcomes (1)

• Program Evaluation Questionnaire

  Imediately post-intervention

Study Arms (4)

Depressed adolescents - video intervention on personal stigma

EXPERIMENTAL

Behavioral: Video-Based Psychoeducation on Personal Stigma

Depressed adolescents - control video

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Behavioral: Neutral Health Education Video

Non-depressed adolescents - video intervention on social stigma

EXPERIMENTAL

Behavioral: Video-Based Psychoeducation on Social Stigma (Non-Depressed Adolescents)

Non-depressed adolescents - control video

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Behavioral: Neutral Health Education Video

Interventions

Video-Based Psychoeducation on Personal Stigma BEHAVIORAL

Participants in this arm are depressed adolescents (PHQ-A \>9) who receive a video-based psychoeducational intervention designed to reduce personal stigma toward depression. The intervention consists of short online videos (approximately 3-5 minutes each) developed by the research team and delivered through a WeChat mini-program. The videos include animated and narrative content explaining the nature of depression, correcting common misconceptions, and promoting empathy, self-acceptance, and help-seeking attitudes. The aim is to reduce internalized stigma, improve depression literacy, and encourage professional help-seeking among adolescents with depression.

Depressed adolescents - video intervention on personal stigma

Neutral Health Education Video BEHAVIORAL

Participants in this arm watch a neutral health education video that serves as a control condition. The video, approximately 3-5 minutes in length, focuses on myopia prevention and eye health and contains no content related to mental health or depression. It is matched in duration and presentation style to the experimental videos to control for exposure time and viewing experience. The control video is delivered through the same WeChat mini-program platform and viewed once under the supervision of teachers, clinicians, or guardians. This condition allows for comparison of the specific effects of the depression-related stigma reduction videos with a neutral educational video of a similar format.

Depressed adolescents - control video; Non-depressed adolescents - control video

Video-Based Psychoeducation on Social Stigma (Non-Depressed Adolescents) BEHAVIORAL

Participants in this arm are non-depressed (PHQ-A ≤ 9) adolescents who receive a video-based psychoeducational intervention aimed at reducing social stigma toward individuals with depression. The intervention consists of short online videos (approximately 3-5 minutes each) created by the research team and delivered via a WeChat mini-program. The videos use engaging animation and real-life narratives to explain the symptoms and causes of depression, challenge negative stereotypes, and promote understanding and acceptance of people experiencing depression. The goal is to decrease prejudicial attitudes and social distance toward people with depression and to enhance mental health literacy among adolescents.

Non-depressed adolescents - video intervention on social stigma

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 8 Years - 18 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Adolescents aged 8-18 years.
• Able to understand and complete questionnaires in Chinese.
• Normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing.
• Have at least a primary school education level.
• Provide written informed consent from both the participant and their parent or guardian.
• For the depressed group: score \> 9 on the Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents (PHQ-A).
• For the non-depressed group: score ≤ 9 on the PHQ-A.

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of severe physical illness or neurological disease (e.g., traumatic brain injury).
• Cognitive impairment, intellectual disability, or significant visual/hearing impairment that prevents participation.
• Current psychotic symptoms or severe psychiatric comorbidities.
• Active suicidal or self-harming behaviors during the study period.
• Failure to comply with study procedures or withdrawal of consent.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Jian-Jun Ou: lead

Study Sites (1)

Department of Psychiatry, Xiangya Second Hospital, Central South University

Changsha, Hunan, China

Location

Central Study Contacts

Jianjun Ou, doctor

CONTACT

17775861486; oujianjun@csu.edu.cn

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 17, 2025
• First Posted: December 15, 2025
• Study Start: December 20, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 20, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 20, 2026
• Last Updated: December 15, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Locations

CN (1)