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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07690098

AgingUP: A Pilot Program to Reduce Self-Ageism and Self-Stigma in Older Adults With Severe Mental Illness

The goal of this pilot clinical trial is to learn whether AgingUP, a 10-session psychosocial program, helps reduce self-ageism and self-stigma and fosters more positive and realistic views of aging in older adults (≥50 years) living with severe mental illness.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Does participation in AgingUP reduce self-directed ageism compared to usual care? * Does it reduce internalized stigma related to mental illness? * Does it increase self-compassion? * Does it improve their perception of their own aging? Researchers will compare the AgingUP group with a control group receiving treatment as usual to see if participants in AgingUP show more adaptive perceptions of aging and self-concept.

Participants will:

* Attend 10 weekly group sessions (60-75 min each) focused on cognitive-behavioral techniques, acceptance and commitment strategies, self-compassion exercises, and empowerment (as a transversal element). * Complete brief questionnaires about their experiences and attitudes before and after the program.

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Key information

Conditions

Mental Disorder Mental Disorders

Age range

50 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

UNINPSI

Madrid, 28036, Spain

About this study

This research aims to generate preliminary evidence on the feasibility and potential effectiveness of AgingUP, a 10-session psychosocial program designed to reduce self-ageism and self-stigma and to foster more positive and realistic views of aging among older adults with severe mental illness (SMI). The program integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), self-compassion training, positive narrative work, and social support.

The intervention is structured to progressively build cognitive, emotional, and social skills. The initial sessions provide psychoeducation and cognitive restructuring to help participants identify and challenge negative thoughts related to aging and mental illness. Mid-program sessions introduce values clarification and committed action from ACT, encouraging participants to act in alignment with personally meaningful goals. Later sessions focus on cultivating self-compassion and reconstructing positive life narratives that counter internalized stereotypes. The program concludes with a session on social connection and maintenance strategies.

AgingUP is implemented in group format within residential settings and compared to a control group receiving treatment as usual. Participants complete assessments at baseline and immediately after the 10-week intervention. The study will examine changes in self-directed ageism, self-stigma, self-compassion, symptoms, recovery and perception of successful aging.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Age: ≥ 50 years (preventive/therapeutic focus on early and late aging in Severe Mental Illness).

Diagnosis: Having a clinical diagnosis of Severe Mental Illness (SMI) such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychotic spectrum disorders, or severe affective disorders.

Active Treatment: Currently receiving psychiatric or psychosocial treatment in a mental health center, rehabilitation unit, or community service.

Legal Status: Not having a court-appointed legal representative. Voluntariness: Participation must be completely voluntary, without coercion or obligation.

Language and Communication: Able to communicate in the language used for the study/intervention (e.g., Spanish).

Availability: Willing to attend the scheduled sessions and activities according to the study/intervention design.

Exclusion criteria

  • Severe Cognitive Impairment: Presence of advanced dementia or severe neurodegenerative disease that limits understanding or informed consent.

Active Psychiatric Crisis: Experiencing an acute psychotic episode, manic crisis, or severe depression with high suicide risk at the time of assessment.

Severe Medical Conditions: Having medical illnesses that prevent participation in study activities.

Concurrent Study Participation: Participation in another ongoing study that may interfere with the objectives of this intervention.

Legal Incapacity: Having a legal incapacity that prevents free and voluntary participation.

Severe Cognitive Difficulties: Difficulties that significantly impair understanding of information or participation in group or digital activities.

Language Barrier: Inability to understand the language in which the intervention is conducted, limiting comprehension of study content.

Informed Consent: Failure to sign the informed consent form or expressing significant doubts about voluntary participation.

Lack of Availability: Unwillingness or inability to attend the sessions according to the structure and duration of the study.

Concurrent Participation: Participation in another study that could interfere with the goals of this intervention.

Treatment and study plan

AgingUP (Self-Ageism Reduction Program)

Behavioral

AgingUP is a 10-session psychosocial group intervention combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), self-compassion training, and positive narrative work. Sessions focus on identifying and changing negative beliefs about aging and mental illness and on promoting more positive and realistic views of aging. It is delivered in addition to the treatment as usual provided at the participants' center.

Primary outcomes

  1. WHO Self-Directed Ageism Scale (15-item)

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 10 (end of intervention)

    The scale evaluates self-directed ageism, defined as internalized stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination related to one's own age. It includes 15 items rated on a 6-point Likert-type scale (from strongly disagree to strongly agree). Higher scores indicate higher levels of self-ageism.

  2. Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMI-29)

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 10 (end of intervention)

    The ISMI-29 evaluates self-stigma associated with mental illness. It comprises 29 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale (from strongly disagree to strongly agree). The scale assesses five domains: alienation, stereotype endorsement, discrimination experience, social withdrawal, and resistance to stigma. Higher scores indicate greater internalized stigma.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Self-Compassion Scale (SCS-12)

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 10 (end of intervention)

    The scale evaluates self-compassion, defined as a kind, understanding, and mindful attitude toward oneself in times of suffering. It includes 12 items rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale (from almost never to almost always). Higher scores indicate greater self-compassion.

  2. Perception of Aging

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 10 (end of intervention)

    This measure assesses participants' subjective perception of aging through three items: (1) a 10-point scale of perceived successful aging, (2) a 5-point Likert item ("I am aging well"), and (3) self-reported perceived physical and mental age. Higher ratings indicate more positive perceptions of aging.

Other outcomes

  1. Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS-24)

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 10 (end of intervention)

    The scale assesses personal recovery in individuals with mental illness. It contains 24 items scored on a 5-point Likert-type scale (from strongly disagree to strongly agree), evaluating five dimensions: personal confidence and hope, willingness to ask for help, goal and success orientation, reliance on others, and no domination by symptoms. Higher scores indicate a stronger sense of recovery.

  2. Symptom Checklist-45 abbreviated version

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 10 (end of intervention)

    This scale evaluates psychological symptoms using 45 items rated on a Likert-type scale from 0 to 4 (Not at all - Very much or extremely). It assesses 9 domains (Depression, Hostility, Interpersonal Sensitivity, Somatization, Anxiety, Psychoticism, Obsession-Compulsion, Phobic Anxiety, and Paranoid Ideation). Mean scores range from 0 to 4. A higher score indicates more intense symptoms.

  3. Protocol adherence form

    Time frame: At the end of each session, weekly from Week 1 to Week 10

    At the end of each session, the group therapists complete a 10-item inventory rating the fulfillment of the session's objectives on a 3-point Likert-type scale (0 = not achieved, 1 = partially achieved, 2 = fully achieved).

  4. Participants' satisfaction was measured by the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8, Larsen et al., 1979)

    Time frame: Week 10 (end of intervention)

    The CSQ-8 is an 8-item measure assessing general satisfaction with the group on a 4-point Likert-type scale from 1 to 4 (very dissatisfied - very satisfied). Mean scores range from 1 to 4. Higher scores indicate higher satisfaction.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Universidad Pontificia Comillas

Other

Registry information

Official study title

AgingUP: A Pilot Psychosocial Program to Reduce Self-Ageism and Self-Stigma and Foster Positive and Realistic Views of Aging in Older Adults With Severe Mental Illness

Acronym: AgingUp

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jul 8, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 8, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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