Scoping Review on the Effects of Simulation-Based Interventions on Reducing Stigma Toward People with Schizophrenia

IntroductionSchizophrenia imposes a significant burden on global public health and is associated with pervasive stigmatization, perpetuating misconceptions of danger and incompetence. This review examines the efficacy of simulation interventions in reducing stigmas associated with schizophrenia and...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Eva-Maria Weiß, Dagmar C. Unz, Frank Schwab
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Virtual Reality
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frvir.2025.1404156/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850040817972936704
author Eva-Maria Weiß
Dagmar C. Unz
Frank Schwab
author_facet Eva-Maria Weiß
Dagmar C. Unz
Frank Schwab
author_sort Eva-Maria Weiß
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionSchizophrenia imposes a significant burden on global public health and is associated with pervasive stigmatization, perpetuating misconceptions of danger and incompetence. This review examines the efficacy of simulation interventions in reducing stigmas associated with schizophrenia and fostering empathy towards affected individuals.MethodsA comprehensive literature review spanning from August 2021 to September 2022 identified 14 relevant studies meeting inclusion criteria.ResultsAnalysis revealed a diverse landscape of simulation-based interventions, characterized by variability in methodological rigor, intervention design, and technological modalities. While some studies demonstrated promising outcomes in stigma reduction and empathy enhancement, methodological limitations and inconsistencies underscore the need for cautious interpretation of findings. Furthermore, mixed outcomes in stigma characteristics and empathy development highlight the complexity of intervention effectiveness.DiscussionDespite these challenges, simulation interventions, particularly when integrated with additional components, hold potential in mitigating stigmatization and promoting empathy. Future research should prioritize methodological rigor, comprehensive outcome assessment, and tailored intervention strategies to advance the field of stigma reduction in schizophrenia.
format Article
id doaj-art-9fa321a7f93a44488ab4862abb74fd52
institution DOAJ
issn 2673-4192
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Virtual Reality
spelling doaj-art-9fa321a7f93a44488ab4862abb74fd522025-08-20T02:55:57ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Virtual Reality2673-41922025-05-01610.3389/frvir.2025.14041561404156Scoping Review on the Effects of Simulation-Based Interventions on Reducing Stigma Toward People with SchizophreniaEva-Maria Weiß0Dagmar C. Unz1Frank Schwab2Department of Applied Social Sciences, Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt, Würzburg, GermanyDepartment of Applied Social Sciences, Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt, Würzburg, GermanyDepartment of Media Psychology, Julius Maximilians University of Würzburg, Würzburg, GermanyIntroductionSchizophrenia imposes a significant burden on global public health and is associated with pervasive stigmatization, perpetuating misconceptions of danger and incompetence. This review examines the efficacy of simulation interventions in reducing stigmas associated with schizophrenia and fostering empathy towards affected individuals.MethodsA comprehensive literature review spanning from August 2021 to September 2022 identified 14 relevant studies meeting inclusion criteria.ResultsAnalysis revealed a diverse landscape of simulation-based interventions, characterized by variability in methodological rigor, intervention design, and technological modalities. While some studies demonstrated promising outcomes in stigma reduction and empathy enhancement, methodological limitations and inconsistencies underscore the need for cautious interpretation of findings. Furthermore, mixed outcomes in stigma characteristics and empathy development highlight the complexity of intervention effectiveness.DiscussionDespite these challenges, simulation interventions, particularly when integrated with additional components, hold potential in mitigating stigmatization and promoting empathy. Future research should prioritize methodological rigor, comprehensive outcome assessment, and tailored intervention strategies to advance the field of stigma reduction in schizophrenia.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frvir.2025.1404156/fullSchizophreniastigma reductionsimulation-based interventionvirtual realityempathypsychosis simulation
spellingShingle Eva-Maria Weiß
Dagmar C. Unz
Frank Schwab
Scoping Review on the Effects of Simulation-Based Interventions on Reducing Stigma Toward People with Schizophrenia
Frontiers in Virtual Reality
Schizophrenia
stigma reduction
simulation-based intervention
virtual reality
empathy
psychosis simulation
title Scoping Review on the Effects of Simulation-Based Interventions on Reducing Stigma Toward People with Schizophrenia
title_full Scoping Review on the Effects of Simulation-Based Interventions on Reducing Stigma Toward People with Schizophrenia
title_fullStr Scoping Review on the Effects of Simulation-Based Interventions on Reducing Stigma Toward People with Schizophrenia
title_full_unstemmed Scoping Review on the Effects of Simulation-Based Interventions on Reducing Stigma Toward People with Schizophrenia
title_short Scoping Review on the Effects of Simulation-Based Interventions on Reducing Stigma Toward People with Schizophrenia
title_sort scoping review on the effects of simulation based interventions on reducing stigma toward people with schizophrenia
topic Schizophrenia
stigma reduction
simulation-based intervention
virtual reality
empathy
psychosis simulation
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frvir.2025.1404156/full
work_keys_str_mv AT evamariaweiß scopingreviewontheeffectsofsimulationbasedinterventionsonreducingstigmatowardpeoplewithschizophrenia
AT dagmarcunz scopingreviewontheeffectsofsimulationbasedinterventionsonreducingstigmatowardpeoplewithschizophrenia
AT frankschwab scopingreviewontheeffectsofsimulationbasedinterventionsonreducingstigmatowardpeoplewithschizophrenia