Using Psychoeducational Intervention to Enhance Knowledge of Attenuated Psychosis Symptoms and Help Seeking Behaviors among Black Young Adults

The lack in knowledge of mental illnesses is of primary concern with regard to help-seeking and treatment outcomes, especially when faced with chronic and severe illnesses such as psychotic disorders. Where mental health... [ view full abstract ]

The lack in knowledge of mental illnesses is of primary concern with regard to help-seeking and treatment outcomes, especially when faced with chronic and severe illnesses such as psychotic disorders. Where mental health knowledge lacks, so does the ability to recognize the signs and symptoms, risk factors, and causes of mental disorders; as well as the appropriate routes of care for these illnesses. Psychotic disorders and attenuated/subclinical psychotic symptoms are often the target of stigma due to the distinctive symptoms, disruptive behavior and perceived dangerousness of both. Furthermore, the social stigma and discrimination historically faced by African Americans in the United States magnifies the disparity in treatment outcomes among  this population. The enrollment of minority college students has increased from 15 percent to 33 percent over the past three decades; cases of students with mental illnesses have also increased. It is becoming more important to explore psychosocial intervention strategies geared to promote knowledge of attenuated psychotic symptoms and help-seeking behavior among African Americans young adults. Method: The sample consists of 177 students from a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). The participants ranged in age from 18-25. A within group test-retest design was used to conduct the study. The group received a pretest, participated in a psychoeducational workshop on attenuated psychosis syndrome, and a posttest. Results: The results suggest that the psychoeducational workshop was effective in enhancing the participants’ knowledge of early warning signs of psychosis and improving their help-seeking behavior. Clinical and research implications will be presented.