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NCT Number: NCT07316803

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

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Severe Mental Illness Behavior Bipolar Disorder Bipolar and Related Disorders Depressive Disorder Depressive Disorder, Major Major Depressive Disorder Mental Disorders Mood Disorders Schizophrenia Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders Social Adjustment Social Behavior

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

L'UNIRRE (Unité Référente de Réhabilitation), Neuilly-sur-Marne, Île-de-France Region, France

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About this study

This multicenter, prospective study examines the effects of the "À deux, c'est mieux" group intervention on romantic and social functioning in adults living with a severe mental illness (SMI).

Romantic relationships are an important component of emotional well-being and social integration. However, adults with SMI often face significant barriers to forming and maintaining intimate relationships, including social skill challenges, limited social networks, stigma, low self-esteem, and fear of rejection. Although most express a desire for romantic relationships, many feel unprepared to develop or sustain healthy partnerships.

The "À deux, c'est mieux" program is a manualized group intervention consisting of 12 weekly sessions. The program follows a progressive structure, beginning with topics such as attraction, communication, and relationship initiation, and gradually addressing more sensitive themes including emotional intimacy, attachment-related anxiety, and sexuality. The intervention uses group discussions, experiential exercises, and practical strategies to promote healthy romantic relationship skills, emotional awareness, and social cognition. The program is inclusive of sexual and gender diversity.

The intervention will be delivered in small groups of 4 to 6 participants by trained mental health professionals. Outcomes will be assessed at three time points: before the intervention (baseline), immediately after completion of the 12 sessions, and at a three-month follow-up. The study uses a repeated single-case experimental design in which each participant serves as their own control, allowing for comparison of outcomes over time without the use of an inactive control group.

The primary outcome is improvement in romantic relationship functioning. Secondary outcomes include quality of life, perceived loneliness, self-esteem, internalized stigma, and recovery. Data will be analyzed using repeated-measures statistical methods to evaluate changes across assessment time points.

This study addresses an important gap in mental health care by focusing on romantic relationships and intimacy, areas that are often overlooked but central to recovery and quality of life.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • 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

Exclusion criteria

  • 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)

Treatment and study plan

À deux, c'est mieux (Better Together) Group Intervention

Behavioral

The "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.

Other names: Better Together

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Romantic Relationship Functioning

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention), end of the 12-session intervention, and 3-month follow-up

    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.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Quality of Life

    Time frame: Baseline, end of the 12-session intervention, and 3-month follow-up

    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.

  2. Change in Perceived Loneliness

    Time frame: Baseline, end of the 12-session intervention, and 3-month follow-up

    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.

  3. Change in Self-Esteem

    Time frame: Baseline, end of the 12-session intervention, and 3-month follow-up

    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.

  4. Change in Internalized Stigma

    Time frame: Baseline, end of the 12-session intervention, and 3-month follow-up

    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.

  5. Change in Recovery

    Time frame: Baseline, end of the 12-session intervention, and 3-month follow-up

    Recovery will be assessed using the Stages of Recovery Instrument (STORI), a self-report measure evaluating subjective recovery processes in individuals with mental illness.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Youcef BENCHERIF, Clinical Project Manager

CONTACT

[email protected]

00.33.01.43.09.32.32

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Centre hospitalier de Ville-Evrard, France

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Study on the Effectiveness of a Group Intervention on Romantic Relationships in Young Adults With Severe Mental Illness

Acronym: A2C'estMieuxVE

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jan 5, 2026
Registry last updated
Jan 5, 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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