The Use of Humor With Young Adults in Psychiatric Care
Condition: Treatment Adherence and Compliance; Psychiatric Disorder
MeSH terms: Mental Disorders; Problem Behavior
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Clinical study in psychiatry in young adult patients between 18 and 25 years old. The aim of
      the study is to evaluate the therapeutic impact of the clinical use of humor through 6 group
      sessions (group of 5 to 10 patients), at the rate of one hour session per week for 6 weeks.

      The investigators will form 2 groups of 5 to 10 patients matched in terms of gender,
      education level and score on a scale measuring their sense of humor. The participants will be
      asked to complete a series of tests measuring their ability to use humor, psychiatric
      symptoms and well-being.

      Group 1 (test group) will participate in the humor-based sessions, while Group 2 (control
      group) will receive regular treatment for 6 weeks (waiting list: patients in Group 2 will
      attend humor-based sessions once Group 1 has completed their 6 weeks).

      At the end of the 6-week sessions, both groups will receive the same series of pre-session
      tests to see whether or not there has been improvement in their overall functioning,
      psychiatric symptomatology and appreciation/use of humor.

      At the end of the 2x 6-week sessions, group 2 will again receive this series of pre-session
      tests to see whether or not their overall functioning, psychiatric symptomatology and
      appreciation/use of humour has improved.

      Objective(s)/Aim:

      To evaluate the resilience of young adult psychiatric patients and their ability to cope with
      stress through the use of humor in a set of 6 modules on the use of humor.

      To evaluate the symptoms.

      Outcome/Endpoints :

      Using scales, measure this evolution.
    

Detailed description: 
      Project design and procedures :

      The investigators will form 2 groups of 5 to 10 patients matched on their score on the sense
      of humor scale, their gender and their level of education. The participants will be asked to
      complete a series of tests measuring their ability to use humor, clinical variables and
      general functioning.

      Group 1 - experimental - will participate in a "humor group" with a one-hour group session
      per week for 6 weeks.

      Group 2 - the control group - will follow a usual treatment regimen for 6 weeks. At the end
      of the "Humor Group" of group 1, the 2 groups of patients will undergo a second series of
      tests identical to those of the pregroup. The paired patients should be randomly assigned.
      The control group will do the "Humor Group" after 6 weeks.
    

Intervention name(s): Clinical use of humor
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Clinical study in psychiatry in young adult patients between 18 and 25 years old. The aim of the study is to evaluate the therapeutic impact of the clinical use of humor through 6 group sessions (group of 5 to 10 patients), at the rate of one hour session per week for 6 weeks.
The investigators will form 2 groups of 5 to 10 patients matched in terms of gender, education level and score on a scale measuring their sense of humor. The participants will be asked to complete a series of tests measuring their ability to use humor, psychiatric symptoms and well-being.
Other intervention name(s): Treatment; Group psychotherapy
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: A treatment arm receives a psychotherapeutic group intervention (based on humor with cognitive behavioural and psychoeducative approaches) over a period 6 weeks.
A control arm is placed on a 6 week waiting list.
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Young people; Young adults; Humor; Psychotherapy; Group psychotherapy; Resilience