Amy Drapalski

Publications (4)4.7 Total impact

• Article: Ending self-stigma: pilot evaluation of a new intervention to reduce internalized stigma among people with mental illnesses.

  Alicia Lucksted, Amy Drapalski, Christine Calmes, Courtney Forbes, Bruce DeForge, Jennifer Boyd
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  ABSTRACT: This study evaluated "Ending Self-Stigma" (ESS), a structured 9-session group intervention to help people with serious mental illnesses reduce internalized stigma. Participants from two Veterans Administration mental health sites were assessed before and after the intervention regarding their levels of internalized stigma, empowerment, recovery orientation, perceived social support, and beliefs about societal stigma. Internalized stigma significantly decreased, and perceived social support and recovery orientation significantly increased. "Ending Self-Stigma" is the first of its kind and may be a valuable intervention for reducing internalized stigma among people with serious mental illnesses, suitable for both professionally-delivered psychiatric rehabilitation programs and consumer-led programs and services.
  Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal 01/2011; 35(1):51-4. · 0.75 Impact Factor
• Article: Gender differences in substance use, consequences, motivation to change, and treatment seeking in people with serious mental illness.

  Amy Drapalski, Melanie Bennett, Alan Bellack
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  ABSTRACT: Gender differences in patterns and consequences of substance use, treatment-seeking, and motivation to change were examined in two samples of people with serious mental illness (SMI) and comorbid substance use disorders (SUDs): a community sample not currently seeking substance abuse treatment (N = 175) and a treatment-seeking sample (N = 137). In both groups, women and men demonstrated more similarities in the pattern and severity of their substance use than differences. However, treatment-seeking women showed greater readiness to change their substance use. Mental health problems and traumatic experiences may prompt people with SMI and SUD to enter substance abuse treatment, regardless of gender.
  Substance Use &amp Misuse 12/2010; 46(6):808-18. · 1.10 Impact Factor
• Article: Race differences in psychopathology and disparities in treatment seeking: Community and jail-based treatment seeking patterns.

  Kerstin Youman, Amy Drapalski, Jeff Stuewig, Karen Bagley, June Tangney
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  ABSTRACT: Whites in community samples utilize mental health services at a much higher rate than African Americans (Kessler, et al., 2005). Is this also the case among those in jails? In this study of jail inmates (229 African American, 185 White) there were no race difference in the overall need for mental health treatment (63% of participants had significant symptoms on the Personality Assessment Inventory) but race differences in the level and types of symptoms were evident. Additionally, while Whites were more likely to report pre-incarceration treatment there were no differences in treatment seeking or access to mental health programs while in jail, implying that if barriers to treatment in the community were removed (cost/insurance, location/transportation, time) racial disparities in treatment utilization may be reduced.
  Psychological Services 02/2010; 7(1):11-26. · 1.08 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: va.gov

  Article: Family contact, experience of family relationships, and views about family involvement in treatment among VA consumers with serious mental illness.

  Aaron Murray-Swank, Shirley Glynn, Amy N Cohen, Michelle Sherman, Deborah P Medoff, Li Juan Fang, Amy Drapalski, Lisa B Dixon
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  ABSTRACT: Family psychoeducation is a highly effective, but underused, evidence-based practice in the treatment of schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses. This study examined views about family relationships and family participation in care among a sample of 69 consumers with serious mental illness receiving treatment within the Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare system. We found that younger consumers and those with higher levels of psychiatric symptoms were more likely to report family conflict and distress. Of participating consumers, 67% wanted family participation in their psychiatric treatment and those with at least weekly contact with family were more likely to want family participation. Consumers endorsed a number of barriers to family participation in their mental health treatment, including their own concerns about privacy and burdening family and skepticism that family involvement would be helpful. We discuss implications of these findings for the implementation of evidence-based family programs, including efforts toward development of a novel intervention that will address consumers' concerns and promote effective family participation in care.
  The Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development 02/2007; 44(6):801-11. · 1.78 Impact Factor