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

NCT07690098 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: PHS-2024/PH-HUM-169
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 36
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Mental Disorder

Keywords

Psychosocial intervention; Mental Disorder; Older adults

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• WHO Self-Directed Ageism Scale (15-item)

  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.

  Baseline, Week 10 (end of intervention)

• Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMI-29)

  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.

  Baseline, Week 10 (end of intervention)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Self-Compassion Scale (SCS-12)

  Baseline, Week 10 (end of intervention)

• Perception of Aging

  Baseline and Week 10 (end of intervention)

Other Outcomes (4)

• Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS-24)

  Baseline and Week 10 (end of intervention)

• Symptom Checklist-45 abbreviated version

  Baseline and Week 10 (end of intervention)

• Protocol adherence form

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

Study Arms (2)

AgingUP (Self-Ageism Reduction Program)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive the AgingUP program, a 10-session psychosocial group intervention combining CBT, ACT, self-compassion training, and positive narrative work, in addition to the treatment as usual provided at their center.

Behavioral: AgingUP (Self-Ageism Reduction Program)

Waiting list

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants continue with the treatment as usual provided at their center during the 10-week control period and are offered the AgingUP program afterward.

Behavioral: AgingUP (Self-Ageism Reduction Program)

Interventions

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.

AgingUP (Self-Ageism Reduction Program); Waiting list

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 50 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• 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.

You may not qualify if:

• 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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidad Pontificia Comillas: lead

Study Sites (1)

UNINPSI

Madrid, Madrid, 28036, Spain

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Macarena Sánchez-Izquierdo, PhD

  Universidad Pontificia Comillas

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Model Details: AgingUP is a 10-session psychosocial group intervention for older adults (≥50 years) with Severe Mental Illness (SMI), designed to reduce self-ageism and self-stigma and to promote positive and realistic views of aging. It integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, self-compassion training, and positive narrative work, and is delivered alongside the treatment as usual provided at participants' centers. The control group continues with treatment as usual and is offered AgingUP afterward (waiting list). Assessments are conducted at baseline (E1) and immediately after the 10-week program (E2), covering self-directed ageism, self-stigma, self-compassion, recovery, perceptions of aging, and general symptomatology. This pilot will provide preliminary evidence on feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 16, 2026
• First Posted: July 8, 2026
• Study Start: October 19, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 17, 2025
• Study Completion: December 17, 2025
• Last Updated: July 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

ES (1)