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

Overview

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.

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.