Cited by 118Schizophrenia research and treatmentDigital Mental Health InterventionsImpact of Technology on Adolescents

Enhancing social functioning in young people at ultra high risk (UHR) for psychosis: a pilot study of a novel strengths and mindfulness-based online social therapy

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Alvarez-Jimenez, M., Gleeson, J.F., Bendall, S., Penn, D.L., Yung, A.R., Ryan, R.M., Eleftheriadis, D., D'Alfonso, S. +10 more·2018·Schizophrenia Research

Abstract

Background Psychological and pharmacological treatments have been shown to reduce rates of transition to psychosis in Ultra High Risk (UHR) young people. However, social functioning deficits have been unresponsive to current treatments. Aims The study aims were to: i) describe the theoretical basis and therapeutic targets of a novel intervention targeting social functioning in UHR young people; and ii) examine its acceptability, safety and preliminary effect on social functioning. Methods An international, multidisciplinary team developed a new intervention (MOMENTUM) to improve social functioning in UHR young people. MOMENTUM blends two novel approaches to social recovery: strengths and mindfulness-based intervention embedded within a social media environment, and application of the self-determination theory of motivation. The acceptability and safety of MOMENTUM were tested through a 2-month pilot study with 14 UHR participants. Results System usage was high, with over 70% of users being actively engaged over the trial. All participants reported a positive experience using MOMENTUM, considered it safe and would recommend it to others. 93% reported it to be helpful. There were large, reliable improvements in social functioning (d = 1.83, p Conclusion MOMENTUM is engaging and safe. MOMENTUM appeared to engage the hypothesized mechanisms and showed promise as a new avenue to improve social functioning in UHR young people.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.schres.2018.07.022

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  • Virtual reality interventions improved social functioning in schizophrenia and clinical high risk compared to treatment-as-usual.

    “Five studies found statistically significant improvements in social functioning in SZ/CHR compared to TAU (Alvarez‐Jimenez et al. 2018; Hoşgelen et al. 2023; Nijman et al. 2023; Rus‐Calafell et al. 2014; Shen et al. 2022).”

    From Social Functioning Interventions in Psychosis: A Systematic Review. (2025) · cites this paper as Alvarez‐Jimenez et al. 2018

  • Results from several pilot studies and a clinical trial showed that MOST was engaging over prolonged periods of time, safe, non-stigmatising, endorsed and valued by young people, clinicians, and services, effective in improving vocational recovery and reducing use of hospital services in youth psychosis, cost-saving, and cost-effective.

    “Results from several pilot studies and a clinical trial showed that MOST was engaging over prolonged periods of time; safe; nonstigmatising; endorsed and valued by young people, clinicians, and services; effective in improving vocational recovery and reducing use of hospital services in youth psychosis; cost-saving; and cost-effective, with four clinical trials underway.”

    From The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on youth mental health (2024) · cites this paper as [368]

  • Use of digital environments with the interactive peer-to-peer features of social media can enhance social functioning and wellbeing in young people at high risk of psychosis.

    “Other early efforts have demonstrated that use of digital environments with the interactive peer-to-peer features of social media can enhance social functioning and wellbeing in young people at high risk of psychosis (Alvarez-Jimenez et al., 2018).”

    From Social Media and Mental Health: Benefits, Risks, and Opportunities for Research and Practice (2020) · cites this paper as Alvarez-Jimenez et al., 2018

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Authors
Alvarez-Jimenez, M., Gleeson, J. F., Bendall, S., Penn, D. L., Yung, A. R., Ryan, R. M., Eleftheriadis, D., D'Alfonso, S., Rice, S., Miles, C., Russon, P., Lederman, R., Chambers, R., Gonzalez-Blanch, C., Lim, M. H., Killackey, E., McGorry, P. D., & Nelson, B.
Affiliations
  • Australian Catholic University (AU)
  • The University of Melbourne (AU)
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US)
  • Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
  • University of Rochester (US)
  • Monash University (AU)
  • Swinburne University of Technology (AU)
Venue
Schizophrenia Research
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2018-12
Volume
202
Pages
369-377
ISSN
0920-9964 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2826597715
Cited by
118
References
68
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 15
FWCI
10.77
Type
journal article
Language
en
Locations
  • Schizophrenia Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • Research Bank (Australian Catholic University) (submittedVersion)
  • Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Swinburne figshare (Swinburne University of Technology) (submittedVersion)
  • UNC Libraries
Funders
  • Victorian Government's Mental Illness Research Fund
  • Telstra Foundation
  • Colonial Foundation
  • National Health and Medical Research Council (APP1082934)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
Keywords
clinical high risk for psychosis, social functioning
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Female, Humans, Male, Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care, Patient Acceptance of Health Care, Pilot Projects, Psychotic Disorders, Risk, Social Support, Socioenvironmental Therapy, Patient Satisfaction, Self Efficacy, Internet, Young Adult, Social Networking, Mindfulness

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