Stress and Stigma Among Psychiatric Caregivers: Effects of a Video-Based Orientation and Feature Importance Via SVR

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Video-based orientation program: The intervention group will receive a structured video-based orientation program developed for first-degree relatives of psychiatric inpatients. The program consists of four sessions (each 45-60 minutes) delivered over one week by psychiatric nurses. Topics include an introduction to the psychiatric unit, understanding stigma, basic information on mental illnesses, and strategies for coping with stigma. Educational videos support learning and discussion. Unlike the control group, this intervention emphasizes stigma awareness and emotional support. Pre- and post-tests are used to assess perceived stress and stigma.

Study summary

Determinants of Stress and Stigma Among Caregivers of Psychiatric Patients: The Effect of a Video-Based Orientation Intervention

Conducted by:

Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University (KTU)

Purpose of the Study:

This study aims to examine the stress and stigma experienced by first-degree relatives (parent, spouse, or child) of patients hospitalized in a psychiatric unit, and to evaluate the effect of a video-based orientation training on these experiences.

Where and When Is the Study Conducted? The study will take place in the psychiatric ward of KTU Farabi Hospital between July 15 and September 30, 2025.

Who Can Participate?

You can take part in this study if you are:

A first-degree relative of a psychiatric inpatient,

18 years of age or older,

Able to read, write, and communicate verbally,

Willing to participate voluntarily.

What Will Happen During the Study?

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups:

Intervention group: Will receive video-based orientation training.

Control group: Will receive standard routine orientation.

The video training includes four sessions (each lasting about 45-60 minutes). These sessions cover:

Introduction to the psychiatric unit and the research,

What stigma means and how it affects caregivers,

Basic information about mental illnesses and treatment,

How to understand and cope with stigma.

You will be asked to complete two short questionnaires: one before and one week after the training. These help us understand your stress levels and feelings of stigma.

Confidentiality and Ethics:

This study has been approved by the Scientific Research Ethics Committee of Karadeniz Technical University. All information you provide will be kept confidential and used only for scientific purposes. Your participation is voluntary, and you may withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason.

Contact Information:

If you would like more information, feel free to contact the research team.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Parents' Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (PISMI) — Baseline (pre-test) and 1 week after intervention (post-test)
• Parents' Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (PISMI) — Baseline (pre-test) and 1 week after intervention (post-test)
  The PISMI is a 29-item self-report instrument developed by Boyd-Ritsher et al. (2003) to measure internalized stigma in parents of individuals with mental illness. It includes five subscales: Alienation, Stereotype Endorsement, Perceived Discrimination, Social Withdrawal, and Resistance to Stigma. Items are rated on a 4-point Likert scale. Higher scores indicate greater levels of internalized stigma. The Turkish version was adapted by Gül Dikeç et al. (2019).

Trial sites (1)

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