Group Intervention for Romantic Relationships in Young Adults With Severe Mental Illness

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Severe Mental Illness, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder

In brief

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.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07316803

Run by

Centre hospitalier de Ville-Evrard, France

People needed

20

Starts

2025-11-03

Expected to finish

2026-11-30

Last updated by the study team

2026-01-05

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• 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
• Received mental health care within the past two years
• Able and willing to provide informed consent

You may not qualify if…

• 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)

Where it is running

• HDJ (Hôpital de Jour) — Épinay-sur-Seine, Île-de-France Region, France (enrolling)
• L'UNIRRE (Unité Référente de Réhabilitation) — Neuilly-sur-Marne, Île-de-France Region, France (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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