Effects of Internet-based Storytelling Programs in Reducing Mental Illness Stigma With Mediation by Interactivity and Stigma Content

Change from Baseline Public Stigma towards People with Mental Illness within 10 minutes post-experiment, and at 1-week follow-up

The 21-item Public Stigma Scale-Mental Illness-Short Version was used to assess mental illness public stigma and personal advocacy. Each item was rated on a 6-point Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). Reverse scoring was done for personal advocacy items. Higher scores indicated a higher level of public stigma towards people with mental illness.

Time frame: baseline, within 10 minutes post-experiment, and 1-week follow-up

Change from Baseline Microaggression within 10 minutes post-experiment, and at 1-week follow-up

Microaggression was measured by the 17-item Mental Illness Microaggressions Scale, which covers assumption of inferiority, patronization, and fear of mental illness. Each item was rated on a 4-point Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree). Higher scores indicated a higher level of mircroaggression.

Time frame: baseline, within 10 minutes post-experiment, and 1-week follow-up

Change from Baseline Social Distance from People with Mental Illness within 10 minutes post-experiment, and at 1-week follow-up

The 8-item Social Distancing Scale was used to measure the social distance from people with mental illnesses. Each item was rated on a 6-point Likert scale from 1 (very willing) to 6 (very unwilling). Higher scores indicated a higher level of social distance from people with mental illness.

Time frame: baseline, within 10 minutes post-experiment, and 1-week follow-up

Perceived autonomy

To assess perceived autonomy of the Web page experience, the 10-item Self Determination Scale (SDS) was used in the post-experiment questionnaire. Each item was a pair of opposite statements, where participants rated their level of perceived choice and self-awareness with a slider from 1 (only A feels true) to 5 (only B feels true). Higher scores indicated a higher level of perceived autonomy.

Time frame: within 10 minutes post-experiment

Immersiveness

The 15-item Transportation Scale was used to assess participants' immersiveness in the Web experience. It had a 4-point Likert scale from 1 (very much) to 4 (not at all). Items 2, 5 and 9 were framed negatively. All the items are scored in the direction that higher scores indicated a higher level of immersivenss.

Time frame: within 10 minutes post-experiment