Overview
This randomized clinical trial will test a new technology-supported blended intervention, mobile Social Interaction Therapy by Exposure (mSITE), that targets social engagement in consumers with serious mental illness.
Description
This study evaluates a new technology-supported blended intervention, mobile Social Interaction Therapy by Exposure (mSITE), that targets social behavior, and it also validates several new techniques for measuring social behavior. mSITE blends brief in-person psychotherapy with a context-triggered mobile smartphone intervention and remote telephone coaching. The investigators will conduct a randomized clinical trial of mSITE, evaluating whether the intervention leads to clinically significant changes in the frequency of social interactions in comparison to a therapist and device matched condition. The investigators will changes in outcome measures at baseline and Weeks 8, 18, and 30. If found to be effective, a scalable intervention that reduces social isolation in serious mental illness would have significant personal, societal, and economic impact.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Voluntary informed consent to participate and capacity to consent; Age 18 to 65;
- Diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective, bipolar I disorder or major depression with history of psychosis based on a diagnostic interview and available medical record review;
- Minimum level of social avoidance defined by a score of ≥ 2 on the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) asociality item;
- Be willing and able to speak English at ≥ 6th grade reading level (to read intervention workbook).
Exclusion Criteria:
- Prior cognitive-behavioral therapy in the past 2 years;
- Greater than moderate disorganization on the PANSS (P2- Disorganization item \>5);
- Alcohol or substance dependence in past 3 months based on the diagnostic interview;
- Level of care required interferes with outpatient therapy (e.g., hospitalized; severe medical illness);
- Unable to adequately see or manually manipulate a phone;
- Resident of an integrated housing facility that also provides treatment services.