Group Intervention for Romantic Relationships in Young Adults With Severe Mental Illness
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorCentre hospitalier de Ville-Evrard, France
About this trial
This study evaluates a group-based intervention designed to improve romantic and social relationship skills in adults living with a severe mental illness (SMI), such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder.
Many adults with SMI experience loneliness, social isolation, and difficulties forming romantic relationships, even though most express a strong desire for intimacy. These challenges may be related to social skill difficulties, stigma, low self-esteem, and limited opportunities to develop healthy relationships.
The "À deux, c'est mieux" (Better Together) program is a structured 12-session group intervention focused on developing communication skills, emotional regulation, social understanding, and healthy romantic relationship behaviors. Sessions are led by trained mental health professionals and take place in small groups.
Participants will complete assessments before starting the program, at the end of the 12 sessions, and three months later. The study will examine changes in romantic relationship skills, quality of life, loneliness, self-esteem, self-stigma, and recovery.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether this intervention improves romantic and social functioning and overall well-being, and whether it is acceptable and relevant for adults living with severe mental illness.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Adults aged 18 years and older
Diagnosis of a severe mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder)
Currently single
Motivated to improve romantic and social relationships and to pursue a romantic relationship
Disqualifiers
Inability to speak or read French
Currently receiving acute or crisis-level psychiatric care
Unable to comply with study procedures or group rules (e.g., maintaining sobriety during sessions)
Trial design
Design model
Single group
Treatments tested in this trial
À deux, c'est mieux (Better Together) Group Intervention
BehavioralThe "À deux, c'est mieux" intervention is a manualized, group-based psychosocial program consisting of 12 weekly sessions. The program targets the development of romantic relationship skills, including communication, emotional regulation, social cognition, and intimacy-related behaviors. Sessions follow a progressive structure, beginning with relationship initiation and communication skills and gradually addressing more sensitive topics such as emotional intimacy, attachment-related anxiety, and sexuality. The intervention is inclusive of sexual and gender diversity and is delivered by trained mental health professionals in groups of 4 to 6 participants.
Treatment groups
20 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment groupGroup A: À deux, c'est mieux Group InterventionExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Change in Romantic Relationship Functioning
Romantic relationship functioning will be assessed using the Romantic Relationships Functioning Scale, a self-report questionnaire measuring skills related to initiating, maintaining, and experiencing healthy romantic relationships. Higher scores indicate better romantic relationship functioning.
Time frame
Baseline (pre-intervention), end of the 12-session intervention, and 3-month follow-upSecondary outcomes
1
Change in Quality of Life
Quality of life will be measured using the Schizophrenia Quality of Life Questionnaire (SQOL-18), a self-report scale assessing psychological well-being, self-esteem, family relationships, and social functioning. Higher scores indicate better quality of life.
Time frame
Baseline, end of the 12-session intervention, and 3-month follow-up2
Change in Perceived Loneliness
Perceived loneliness will be assessed using the UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-8), a self-report measure evaluating subjective feelings of loneliness and social isolation. Higher scores indicate greater loneliness.
Time frame
Baseline, end of the 12-session intervention, and 3-month follow-up3
Change in Self-Esteem
Self-esteem will be assessed using the Self-Esteem Rating Scale (SERS), a self-report questionnaire measuring positive and negative self-evaluations. Higher scores indicate higher self-esteem.
Time frame
Baseline, end of the 12-session intervention, and 3-month follow-up4
Change in Internalized Stigma
Internalized stigma will be measured using the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMI), a self-report questionnaire assessing self-stigma related to mental illness. Higher scores indicate greater internalized stigma.
Time frame
Baseline, end of the 12-session intervention, and 3-month follow-upSponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov