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.

Abstract

Aim: To assess the feasibility, acceptability and potential impact of a cognitive behavioural group intervention occurring over 12 sessions and focusing on romantic relationships for single men with early psychosis.

Methods: Recruitment, drop-out and participation rates were collected. An A-B-A within-subject design (n = 7), where each participant acted as his own control, was used to determine potential impact (on social functioning, romantic relationship functioning, self-esteem, theory of mind [ToM] and self-stigma) across time (six time points).

Results: Feasibility and acceptability were established. As for the potential impact of the intervention, participants did not all evolve the same way. Improvements were found on social functioning ("behaviours" subscale), romantic relationship functioning and ToM ("mentalizing" subscale).

Conclusions: More studies are warranted to expand on these results and to further help men with early psychosis in their social and romantic development.

Keywords: cognitive behavioural therapy; early psychosis; intimacy; recovery; romantic relationships.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pilot Projects
  • Psychotic Disorders* / therapy
  • Self Concept