À deux, c'est mieux — group program to improve romantic relationships for young adults with severe mental illness

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

Not applicable Interventional Centre hospitalier de Ville-Evrard, France · NCT07316803

This program will try a 12-week, small-group course to help single adults with severe mental illness build skills for dating, communication, and closer social relationships.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment20 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorCentre hospitalier de Ville-Evrard, France Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Épinay-sur-Seine, Île-de-France Region and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT07316803 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This multicenter prospective program delivers a manualized 12-session group intervention led by trained mental health professionals in small groups of 4–6 participants. Sessions progress from attraction and communication to emotional intimacy, attachment-related anxiety, and sexuality, using group discussion, experiential exercises, and practical strategies to build relationship skills. Participants complete measures before the program, after the 12 sessions, and at a three-month follow-up to track changes in romantic and social functioning, self-esteem, loneliness, and social cognition. The program is inclusive of sexual and gender diversity and is delivered in French at two outpatient rehabilitation sites in Île-de-France.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder who are currently single, motivated to pursue romantic relationships, have received mental health care in the past two years, and can participate in French-language group sessions are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People receiving acute or crisis-level psychiatric care, those who cannot speak or read French, individuals unable to comply with group rules (for example maintaining sobriety during sessions), or those not motivated to pursue relationships are unlikely to benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, participants may gain greater confidence in dating, improved communication and emotional skills, reduced loneliness, and better romantic and social functioning.

How similar studies have performed: Group-based social skills and rehabilitation programs for people with severe mental illness have shown modest gains in social functioning, but interventions specifically targeting romantic relationship skills are relatively novel with limited prior evidence.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
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)

Where this trial is running

Épinay-sur-Seine, Île-de-France Region and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Severe Mental IllnessSchizophreniaBipolar DisorderMajor Depressive Disordersevere mental illnessomantic relationshipsintimate relationshipssocial functioning
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.