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

NCT07316803 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: CLER 02 - 001_A2 C'estMieux VE
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Severe Mental Illness; Schizophrenia; Bipolar Disorder; Major Depressive Disorder

Keywords

severe mental illness; omantic relationships; intimate relationships; social functioning; loneliness; self-esteem; self-stigma; recovery; group intervention; psychosocial intervention; social skills training; relationship skills; mental health rehabilitation; adults with mental illness

Outcome Measures

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.

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

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Change in Quality of Life

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

• Change in Perceived Loneliness

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

• Change in Self-Esteem

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

• Change in Internalized Stigma

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

• Change in Recovery

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

Study Arms (1)

À deux, c'est mieux Group Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive the "À deux, c'est mieux" group-based psychosocial intervention, a structured program designed to improve romantic and social relationship functioning in adults living with a severe mental illness. The intervention is delivered in small groups over 12 weekly sessions led by trained mental health professionals.

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

Interventions

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.

Also known as: Better Together

À deux, c'est mieux Group Intervention

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

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)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Centre hospitalier de Ville-Evrard, France: lead

Study Sites (2)

HDJ (Hôpital de Jour)

Épinay-sur-Seine, Île-de-France Region, 93800, France

RECRUITING

L'UNIRRE (Unité Référente de Réhabilitation)

Neuilly-sur-Marne, Île-de-France Region, 93330, France

RECRUITING

Related Publications (9)

• White R, Haddock G, Campodonico C, Haarmans M, Varese F. The influence of romantic relationships on mental wellbeing for people who experience psychosis: A systematic review. Clin Psychol Rev. 2021 Jun;86:102022. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102022. Epub 2021 Mar 20.

  PMID: 33819779 BACKGROUND

• Weissbourd et al. The Talk: How Adults Can Promote Young People's Healthy Relationships and Prevent Misogyny and Sexual Harassment. (Harvard School of Education, 2017)

  BACKGROUND

• Pillay R, Lecomte T, Abdel-Baki A. Factors limiting romantic relationship formation for individuals with early psychosis. Early Interv Psychiatry. 2018 Aug;12(4):645-651. doi: 10.1111/eip.12353. Epub 2016 May 17.

  PMID: 27186857 BACKGROUND

• Macdonald EM, Hayes RL, Baglioni AJ Jr. The quantity and quality of the social networks of young people with early psychosis compared with closely matched controls. Schizophr Res. 2000 Nov 30;46(1):25-30. doi: 10.1016/s0920-9964(00)00024-4.

  PMID: 11099882 BACKGROUND

• Hache-Labelle C, Abdel-Baki A, Lepage M, Laurin AS, Guillou A, Francoeur A, Bergeron S, Lecomte T. Romantic relationship group intervention for men with early psychosis: A feasibility, acceptability and potential impact pilot study. Early Interv Psychiatry. 2021 Aug;15(4):753-761. doi: 10.1111/eip.13012. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

  PMID: 32578401 BACKGROUND

• Bonfils KA, Firmin RL, Salyers MP, Wright ER. Sexuality and intimacy among people living with serious mental illnesses: Factors contributing to sexual activity. Psychiatr Rehabil J. 2015 Sep;38(3):249-55. doi: 10.1037/prj0000117. Epub 2015 Feb 9.

  PMID: 25664756 BACKGROUND

• Cloutier B, Lecomte T, Diotte F, Lamontagne J, Abdel-Baki A, Daneault JG, Gelineau Rabbath ME, de Connor A, Perrine C. Improving Romantic Relationship Functioning Among Young Men With First-Episode Psychosis: Impact of a Novel Group Intervention. Behav Modif. 2023 Sep;47(5):1170-1192. doi: 10.1177/01454455231186586. Epub 2023 Jul 26.

  PMID: 37496322 BACKGROUND

• Borge L, Martinsen EW, Ruud T, Watne O, Friis S. Quality of life, loneliness, and social contact among long-term psychiatric patients. Psychiatr Serv. 1999 Jan;50(1):81-4. doi: 10.1176/ps.50.1.81.

  PMID: 9890584 BACKGROUND

• Beyers W, Seiffge-Krenke I. Does Identity Precede Intimacy? Testing Erikson's Theory on Romantic Development in Emerging Adults of the 21st Century. Journal of Adolescent Research. 2010;25(3):387-415.

  BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Mental Disorders; Schizophrenia; Bipolar Disorder; Depressive Disorder, Major; Social Adjustment

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders; Bipolar and Related Disorders; Mood Disorders; Depressive Disorder; Social Behavior; Behavior

Study Officials

• Raluca ROSETTI, Principal Investigator

  Psychiatrist, EPS Ville-Evrard

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Youcef BENCHERIF, Clinical Project Manager

CONTACT

00.33.01.43.09.32.32; y.bencherif@epsve.fr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: This is an open-label study. Participants and study staff are aware of the intervention being delivered. Masking is not feasible due to the behavioral and group-based nature of the intervention.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Model Details: This study uses a repeated single-case experimental design in which all participants receive the same group-based intervention. Participants serve as their own control, with outcomes measured before the intervention, immediately after completion of the 12-session program, and at a three-month follow-up.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 19, 2025
• First Posted: January 5, 2026
• Study Start: November 3, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 30, 2026
• Last Updated: January 5, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-12

Locations

FR (2)