Need to be Needed (N2BN) Intervention

Launched by TEMPLE UNIVERSITY · Jul 14, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The "Need to be Needed" (N2BN) trial is a study looking at how to help adults with serious mental health issues, like depression or schizophrenia, feel less lonely and more connected to others. The researchers will test a special program that encourages participants to engage in acts of kindness and volunteer work, which aims to boost their feelings of importance and connection. In this study, 120 participants will be divided into two groups: one will receive weekly support to help them set personal goals and carry out the kindness activities, while the other group will simply have friendly conversations with research assistants.

To be eligible for the trial, participants must be 18 years or older, be diagnosed with a major mental health condition, and score high on a loneliness scale. Participants should be able to communicate in English and live independently in the community. Throughout the year-long study, researchers will gather information at the beginning, halfway point, and end of the program to understand how the intervention affects loneliness and overall well-being. This study aims to create a supportive environment and learn more about how simple acts of kindness can make a big difference in people's lives.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• 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 informed consent.
• • 3. Living situation which restricts their ability to move freely
• • Potential participants failing to meet screening criteria will be informed at the time that we are not able to enroll them in the study at this time. Any interview notes, or information recorded on the MINI will be destroyed or securely deleted.
• • The study will not enroll any vulnerable populations.