OBJECTIVE:This preliminary study explores how person-first language versus generic-noun language is related to both explicit and implicit stigma among mental health professionals. METHODS:Sixty-five clinical psychology trainees and practicing clinicians were randomly assigned to read vignettes describing a person with schizophrenia using either person-first language or generic-noun language. Stigma was assessed via explicit and implicit measures. RESULTS:Multivariate analysis of variance showed a statistically significant multivariate effect of label type on the combined dependent variables composed of implicit and explicit measures. Analyses of variance showed significant differences between the person-first language and generic-noun language groups on two explicit stigma subscales-inclusions and prospects. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE:These preliminary findings underscore the possible effects of language-based interventions and the need for more comprehensive, sustained strategies targeting both conscious and unconscious bias among mental health professionals. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
OBJECTIVE:Education and employment play a crucial role in recovery from mental illness, offering purpose, structure, social connection, and financial independence. Nevertheless, many young people at clinical high risk for psychosis leave education early, underachieve academically, and face difficulties gaining employment. Evidence is limited on which interventions early detection services should implement to address these challenges. This qualitative study examined the acceptability of implementing individual placement and support (IPS), an approach that supports individuals with mental illness to pursue vocational goals, within Outreach and Support in South London, a well-established early detection service. METHODS:Semistructured interviews were conducted with 25 clients and 13 clinicians following the intervention. Data were analyzed using framework analysis guided by the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. RESULTS:The data mapped to five of the seven Theoretical Framework of Acceptability constructs (affective attitude, burden, ethicality, perceived effectiveness, and self-efficacy). The construct "opportunity costs" was not represented, while "intervention coherence" was relabeled as "integration of IPS within OASIS." An additional construct, "therapeutic relationship with IPS specialist" was also identified. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE:Findings indicated that IPS was highly acceptable to clients and clinicians, with both groups expressing a desire for it to be extended and established as a permanent part of Outreach and Support in South London. IPS may therefore offer a promising approach for addressing unmet vocational needs in early detection services. However, large-scale controlled trials are needed to establish its effectiveness. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
OBJECTIVE:Transition-age youth (TAY; ages 16-25 years) with serious mental health diagnoses have low rates of employment and postsecondary education participation. Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is an evidence-based practice designed for adults with mental health conditions to gain employment. IPS has been adapted for TAY by adding supported education, but research is limited with high school students. METHODS:IPS adapted for TAY with supported education services (IPS-SEd) was piloted at a mid-Atlantic Community Mental Health provider. TAY were recruited for an 18-month study (interviews every 6 months) where they shared their education and employment engagement and completed measures of academic self-efficacy and optimism toward future employment and education completion. RESULTS:All participants (n = 21) made vocational progress while in IPS-SEd services. Fourteen of 21 (67%) secured competitive employment, and seven were vocationally engaged in either high school or postsecondary coursework, gig work, and/or volunteer or set-aside positions. Twelve (of 18 eligible; 67%) enrolled in postsecondary education programs after high school. Participants were highly satisfied with IPS-SEd services. Most rated having a good job/career, earning a good living and completing college as important across timepoints; however perceived chances of achieving these increased from baseline to 6 months and then decreased at later timepoints. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE:TAY with serious mental health conditions value and benefit from IPS-SEd during the transition out of high school. More rigorous research of IPS-SEd is needed, including further investigation of academic self-efficacy among TAY navigating postsecondary education with IPS-SEd services. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
OBJECTIVE:This was a quasiexperimental investigation of the effects of the Korean version of the Understanding Social Situations (USS) intervention on social cognition in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The Korean version was adapted from the USS intervention according to the Korean culture and research interests, making the first cultural adaptation of the program for Korean patients. METHOD:Forty-one individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders were initially recruited, and 26 were assigned to either the intervention or conventional treatment condition. After the pretraining assessment, the intervention group underwent 8-10 weekly training sessions. Posttraining assessments were conducted in both groups within the same timeframe. RESULTS:The Korean version of the USS was found to be well tolerated. Large effects were observed for the USS Skills Training Test and theory of mind, whereas improvement in attributional style was not significant, possibly because of the limited sensitivity of the measure. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE:The Korean version of USS showed good feasibility and potential as a culturally adapted intervention for improving higher level social cognition and as second-order theory of mind in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. These findings suggest that culturally adapted social cognitive interventions can be effectively implemented in Korean psychiatric rehabilitation settings. However, large-scale randomized controlled trials and additional modules are needed to target broader aspects of theory of mind and attributional style. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
