Reducing loneliness in Hong Kong young adults with Positive Affect groups versus Social Skills training
Official title: Group-Based Positive Affect Intervention for Loneliness Reduction: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Chinese Young Adults
Run by Education University of Hong Kong · NCT07543653 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial will test whether a short group-based Positive Affect program helps reduce loneliness in Hong Kong young adults compared with group social skills training.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 30 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Education University of Hong Kong Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hong Kong, Hong Kong) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 31, 2026 |
| Main results expected | July 2026 |
| Study ends | August 2026 |
| Registry record updated | May 18, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07543653 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are Hong Kong college students aged 18–30 who speak Cantonese and report elevated loneliness (≥6 on the 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale).
✕Probably not a fit
People with significant cognitive impairment, current psychiatric disorders or active suicidal ideation, those in other ongoing psychotherapy, non-Cantonese speakers, or those outside the Hong Kong area are unlikely to benefit from this program.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a two-arm randomized controlled trial enrolling 110 college-aged participants in Hong Kong who report elevated loneliness. Eligible participants (aged 18–30, Cantonese-proficient, scoring ≥6 on the 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale) will be randomly assigned to either a group-based Positive Affect (PA) intervention or a group-based Social Skills Training (SST) active control. Both interventions are delivered in four weekly group sessions of 60–75 minutes. The study also measures whether increases in positive affect and perceived social support explain any benefit, and whether rejection sensitivity changes who benefits most.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants could experience reduced loneliness, improved mood, and stronger perceived social support.
How similar studies have gone: Similar positive-affect and social-skills interventions have shown mixed but promising results in other age groups, while rigorous randomized tests specifically in young adults are limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * aged 18 to 30 years * proficiency in Chinese (Cantonese or Mandarin) * experiencing loneliness (defined as a score of ≥ 6 on the 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale) Exclusion Criteria: * cognitive impairments * psychiatric disorders, learning disabilities, or active suicidal ideation * currently participating in other psychotherapy or psychosocial interventions aimed at enhancing well-being
Where it's running
-
The Education University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Jin Zhang
- Email: s1151958@s.eduhk.hk
- Phone: 85229487138
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Hangeoreum: a self-paced web program to reduce loneliness for Korean immigrants aged 50 and older
A self-guided, web-based program based on ACT is being tested to see if it helps Korean immigrants 50+ feel less lonely and more connected.
-
Intergenerational Interaction Program for Nursing Home Residents and Nursing Students
A 6-week program pairs nursing home residents with nursing students to see if weekly joint activities can increase joy and reduce loneliness for older adults and lessen ageism in students.
-
Digital storytelling-based psychoeducation to ease loneliness and boost self-efficacy in adults aged 65–74
The study tests whether a digital storytelling–based psychoeducation program can reduce loneliness and improve self-efficacy in adults 65 to 74 who participate in the program versus a comparison group.
-
Three-agent chat app for lonely older adults in Hong Kong
This trial tests whether a Cantonese-language smartphone chat app with three conversational companions can help reduce loneliness in adults aged 60 and older in Hong Kong, by comparing a version powered by a large language model to a version using pre-written templates.
-
Alive Project: Does group exercise improve social life and health in 75+ women living alone?
This study tests whether supervised group exercise at fitness clubs helps 75-year-old and older women who live alone feel less lonely and healthier compared to exercising alone or doing usual activities.
-
Structured social activities to help older adults overcome loneliness
This study tests whether a personalized plan of two hours per week of community activities can help adults 55 and older who feel lonely feel less lonely over six months.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.