Promoting Recovery by Overcoming Self-stigma in Mental Health Disorders With a Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy (NECT) Group Intervention | NCT07735481

NCT07735481

Overview

NCT ID: NCT07735481
Lead Sponsor: Louise PenzenstadlerOTHER
Official Title: Promoting Recovery by Overcoming Self-stigma in Mental Health Disorders With a Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy (NECT) Group Intervention - A Randomized Controlled Trial and Qualitative Study
Brief Summary: This study will evaluate whether Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy (NECT) can promote recovery among adults living with severe mental health disorders, including substance use disorders. NECT is a structured group intervention that combines education about stigma, cognitive techniques to challenge internalized negative beliefs, and narrative exercises that help participants develop a broader identity beyond their diagnosis.

Approximately 106 adults receiving outpatient or day-hospital psychiatric care at Geneva University Hospitals will be randomly assigned to receive either usual care plus 12 weekly NECT sessions or usual care plus 12 comparison group sessions that do not specifically address self-stigma or recovery. The study will examine whether NECT improves recovery after the intervention and whether any benefits are maintained over time.

Ages Eligible for Study: Adult (18-64)Older Adult (65+)
Sexes Eligible for Study: All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No
Eligibility Criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

Written informed consent

DSM-5 psychiatric diagnosis within F10-F48, F60-F69, or F90, including substance use disorders

Receiving outpatient or day-hospital treatment

Diagnosed or in treatment for at least 12 months

Clinically stable for at least 3 months, with stable pharmacological treatment during this period

Clinical Global Impressions-Severity score below 6

Exclusion Criteria:

Participation in another program likely to affect social functioning or self-stigma, such as social cognitive remediation or social skills training

Acute psychiatric episode with a Clinical Global Impressions-Severity score above 6

Medical emergency or immediate life-threatening situation at inclusion

Unable to provide informed consent

Comorbid intellectual disability

Receiving care under constraint or deprived of liberty by judicial order Insufficient ability to speak and read French

Central Contacts: Louise Penzenstadéer, MDContact
louise.penzenstadler@hug.ch+41223725750