Randomized, Controlled Trial of Need to be Needed (N2BN) Intervention to Improve Social Connection, Reduce Social Isolation and Loneliness
Temple University
Summary
The proposed study is a randomized, controlled trial (RCT) that will examine the effectiveness of an intervention designed to reduce social isolation and loneliness of adults with serious mental illness (SMI). The intervention will focus on improving their sense of mattering by using acts of kindness and experiencing gratitude through volunteering. 120 participants will be randomly assigned to the intervention group or the attention control group. Over the course of the 6-month intervention, participants in the intervention arm, will receive weekly support from the interventionist. The interventionist and the participant will collaboratively set goals and develop an initial intervention plan, which is informed by the participants interests, values and goals. The attention control group will receive non-directive listening support through research assistants. Data collection for all participants will occur at baseline, at the mid-point of the intervention at 3 months, and at the end of the 6-month intervention. Participants will be asked questions about quality of experience, social context and satisfaction, mattering components, kindness, gratitude, and loneliness. We will gather data on demographic background, life transitions, social network characteristics, internalized stigma, neighborhood climate, depression, and trait measures of mattering and loneliness during intake and exit interviews. Additionally, participants of the intervention arm will be asked to provide feedback about the intervention.
Description
The proposed study is a randomized, controlled trial (RCT) that will examine the effectiveness of an intervention designed to reduce social isolation and loneliness of adults with serious mental illness (SMI) receiving community mental health services. Specifically, the intervention will focus on improving their sense of mattering by using acts of kindness, and experiencing gratitude through volunteering. This intervention is based on evidence-based models and takes a different approach than many loneliness and social connectedness interventions. Using the CIVIC Framework and Mattering Wheel…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–99 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: 1. A research diagnosis of Major Depression, Bipolar I, II, or Schizophrenia Spectrum disorder. Participants will be screened by research staff using sections of the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI; Sheehan et al., 1998) that will identify research diagnoses of: Major Depression, Bipolar I, II, or Schizophrenia Spectrum disorder. 2. Ages 18 years old and older 3. Living in the community 4. Able to communicate in written and oral English 5. UCLA-Loneliness Scale score of 6 or higher Exclusion Criteria: 1. Having a legal guardian 2. Unable to give i…
Interventions
- BehavioralNeed to Be Needed Intervention
Interventionist-supported volunteering intervention that targets opportunities creating social connections that matter through focus on kindness and gratitude throughout the intervention.
- OtherActive Control Group
Weekly non-directive listening support
Location
- Hall MercerPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania