Evaluating a New Mental Health Group for Asians and Asian Americans

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study's overarching aim is to evaluate a new psychoeducation and process group for Asian and Asian American psychiatric outpatients. This is a 12 week mental health group which will focus on both educational content related to Asian mental health as well as increasing connection between group members. We hypothesize that participants in the group will experience a decrease in psychiatric symptoms at the conclusion of the group compared to their symptoms at the beginning of group. We also hypothesize that participants will feel more socially connected after the group.

Official Title
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Examining the Feasibility and Impact of a Novel Psychoeducation and Process Group for Asian and Asian American Psychiatric Outpatients

Conditions
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Mental Health Issue

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Psychoeducation and Process Group for Asian and Asian American Psychiatric Outpatients


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 18 years and older Participants must identify as Asian or Asian American Sufficient English proficiency to participate in a psychotherapy group conducted in English Exclusion Criteria: Unable to provide written informed consent Elevated suicide risk (e.g. recent active suicidal ideation, past-year suicide attempt) without a current individual mental health provider Any other challenges that would preclude participation in group psychotherapy

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Patients in a Psychoeducation and Process Group for Asian and Asian American Psychiatric Outpatients<br> | Behavioral: Psychoeducation and Process Group for Asian and Asian American Psychiatric Outpatients<br>* Participants will be individuals enrolling in a 1.5 hour weekly therapy group lasting 12 weeks and will be invited to participate in research on group processes and outcomes. The psychoeducation and process group will be a 12-session weekly closed group with 10-15 participants per group (2-3 groups total) conducted via Zoom to enhance accessibility and reduce barriers to care. Groups will be co-led by licensed clinical psychologists with experience providing both group psychotherapy and culturally responsive services. Group sessions will include brief check-ins, collaborative agenda-setting, a mini-didactic, individual reflection, and group discussion. The didactics curriculum will include topics such as intergenerational trauma, cultural differences in emotional expression, the model minority myth, family dynamics, racism, and positive connections to culture.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) | Depression symptoms assessed on 4-point Likert scale. Score range from 0 to 27, with higher scores representing more severe depression symptoms | Once at baseline, once at 6 weeks, once at 12 weeks | 
| Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener-7 (GAD-7) | Anxiety symptoms assessed on 4-point Likert scale. Score range from 0 to 21, with higher scores representing more severe anxiety symptoms | Once at baseline, once at 6 weeks, once at 12 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Social Connectedness Scale | Subjective social connectedness assessed on 6-point Likert scale. Score range from 20 to 120, with higher scores representing higher perceived social connectedness | Once at baseline, once at 12 weeks | 
| Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale | Subjective self-esteem assessed on 4-point Likert scale. Score range from 10 to 40, with higher scores representing higher self-esteem | Once at baseline, once at 12 weeks | 
| Self-Stigma of Seeking Help Scale | Help-seeking self-stigma assessed on 5-point Likert scale. Score range from 10 to 50, with higher scores representing higher self-stigma of seeking help | Once at baseline, once at 12 weeks |