Reducing Self-Stigma Among Survivors of Childhood Maltreatment: Randomized Controlled Trial of a Brief Video Intervention

Objective: Survivors of childhood maltreatment (CM) often experience self-stigma, the internalization of negative attitudes such as shame, self-blame, and a reluctance to disclose their experiences. These selfperceptions pose a significant barrier to treatment-seeking and may exacerbate psychiatric distress. Prior research indicates that social contact-based interventions are effective in reducing stigma, but no study to date has examined their impact on self-stigma and increasing openness to treatment-seeking among CMsurvivors. This study assessed the efficacy of a brief video intervention on reducing self-stigma among CM survivors using a randomized controlled trial. Method: Werandomly assigned 655 individuals (M_{age<\sub> = 36.7, SD = 11.2) with a history ofCMto either an intervention or control video. Participants in the intervention group viewed a 2-min video of an actor describing lifetime hardships resulting from CM and how she benefited from psychotherapy. Control group participants observed a same-length video in which the actress described her daily activities, without any mention ofCM. Self-stigma was assessed before, after, and 30 days following the intervention. Results: Mean self-stigma scores significantly decreased from pre- to postintervention in the intervention group, as compared to the control group. Increases in openness to treatment-seeking did not reach significance. We did not find significant differences between the groups at baseline and 30-day follow-up assessments. Conclusion: This is the first study to demonstrate the efficacy of a brief, cost-effective, and easily disseminated video-based intervention to reduce self-stigma among CM survivors. This approach could help empower individuals with a history of CM, potentially encouraging treatment-seeking.Clinical Impact Statement Childhood maltreatment survivors often experience self-stigma—internalized negative attitudes like shame and self-blame. Prior research indicates social contact interventions reduce stigma, but their impact on self-stigma in childhood maltreatment survivors remains unexplored. Our results suggest that a brief intervention may reduce self-stigma in this group in the short term. Further research is needed to explore long-term strategies for enhancing well-being in this population.}