What the study found
A culturally informed psychoeducational video increased mental health literacy, meaning knowledge and understanding about mental health, in the full sample of Latinx adults. It also unexpectedly increased perceived stigma among Latinx females, and changes in mental health literacy and stigma did not lead to increased help-seeking intentions.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that the findings can guide the development of future psychoeducational videos tailored for a Latinx audience. They suggest this may help improve access to and use of mental health services.
What the researchers tested
The researchers examined a culturally informed psychoeducational video in a non-college-educated Latinx adult sample. They tested whether the video affected mental health literacy and stigma, whether those effects differed by gender, and whether changes in literacy and stigma were linked to help-seeking intentions. They also conducted a qualitative analysis of two open-ended questions to add context to the quantitative findings.
What worked and what didn't
The video successfully increased mental health literacy in the full sample. It did not increase help-seeking intentions, and changes in mental health literacy and stigma did not produce higher intentions to seek help. The video unexpectedly increased perceived stigma among Latinx females.
What to keep in mind
The abstract describes a pilot test in a non-college-educated Latinx adult sample, so the findings are limited to that group. The available summary does not describe additional limitations beyond the unexpected gender-related stigma finding.
Key points
- A culturally informed video increased mental health literacy among the full sample of Latinx adults.
- Perceived stigma increased unexpectedly among Latinx females.
- Changes in mental health literacy and stigma did not increase help-seeking intentions.
- The researchers also used qualitative analysis of two open-ended questions to explain the findings.
- The authors say the results may help guide future videos tailored for a Latinx audience.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Video increased mental health literacy, but not help-seeking intentions
- Authors:
- Daniel Hernan Saravia, Yesenia Aguilar Silvan, Jonathan I. Martinez
- Institutions:
- California State University, Northridge, University of California, Los Angeles
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-27
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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