Pilot Trial of the Hopeful and Healthy Living Program to Boost Social Connections and Wellness in Adults 50 with Serious Mental Illness

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a new psychosocial program called the Hopeful and Healthy Living HHL intervention to help adults aged 50 and older who have serious mental illness. This study aims to see if the HHL program can improve social connections, reduce loneliness, and increase participation in healthy lifestyle activities compared to usual treatment. The study also looks at changes in cognitive and psychosocial functioning over time. The HHL intervention includes weekly 90-minute group sessions for 16 weeks, focusing on social skills training and cognitive self-management strategies. Each session covers topics like building social connections and healthy routines for eating, exercise, and sleep, with activities practiced both during class and at home. Participants assigned to the intervention will continue their usual treatment alongside the HHL program, while the comparison group receives treatment as usual without HHL. Participants complete interviews and assessments at the start of the study, then again at 4, 8, and 12 months to track changes. These assessments include cognitive tests, measures of loneliness, social support, physical activity, diet, and sleep quality. Feedback on the HHL program is also gathered at 4 months. Throughout the year-long study, researchers monitor how the intervention affects social and health outcomes in older adults with serious mental illness.

A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of the Hopeful and Healthy Living Program