Social Mind: Improving Social Functioning in First Episode Psychosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A feasibility Randomised Control Trial of Social Mind: a brief targeted intervention for reducing social stress and improving social functioning in first episode psychosis
IRAS ID
329378
Contact name
Andrea Mechelli
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Vice President (Research and Innovation) King's College London
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN85485447
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
ISRCTN, 4496
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 7 months, 31 days
Research summary
Mental health and social life are intrinsically connected. Bio-psycho-social models of psychosis point to social stress as a putative mechanism for the emergence of positive and negative symptoms. Our own work shows that people with first episode of psychosis (FEP) experience high levels of social stress, and that this is predictive of clinical and functional outcomes. Yet none of the existing psychological interventions for psychosis focusses on social stress. This project will involve testing the feasibility of implementing Social Mind, a new psychological intervention aimed at helping patients understand and manage social stress, minimising risk of social withdrawal and promoting social functioning. This is achieved by combining the cognitive appraisal of social stress and an active behavioural component involving real-life situations. Social Mind was codeveloped by a diverse team including lived experience experts, mental health professionals and academics. We will trial Social Mind in a feasibility randomised controlled trial with 60 patients recruited from two National Health Service (NHS) Trusts. The feasibility trial will compare Social Mind + Treatment as Usual (TAU) against TAU. Thirty participants will be allocated to Social Mind + Treatment as Usual (TAU) and 30 participants will be allocated to TAU. Outcomes will assess the feasibility and acceptability of recruitment methods; recruitment rates and participants' willingness to be randomised; the acceptability of assessment measures, intervention mode and intervention delivery; treatment fidelity; follow-up rates; and estimates of sample size parameters. We will use this information to inform a full-scale randomised controlled trial. Following full validation, the present project will lead to a new evidence-based intervention for improving social functioning in people with FEP. This will greatly reduce the burden of the illness on service users, their families and clinical services. This project is funded by the Medical Research Council and will last a total of 32 months.
REC name
London - Hampstead Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/LO/0363
Date of REC Opinion
4 Jun 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion