The Use of Humor With Young Adults in Psychiatric Care

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.

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.

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.

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 an 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.

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.

Primary outcome is sense of humor using scale : Sense of Humor Scale (from 36 to 144 : higher scores mean a better outcome).

Coping evolution using scale : Coping Humor Scale (from (-14) to (+14) : higher scores mean a better outcome).

Psychiatric symptoms evolution using scale : Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (from 24 to 168 : higher scores mean a worse outcome).

Global functioning using scales : Global Assessment Functioning (from 1 to 100 : higher scores mean a better outcome).

Clinical global impression using scale : Clinical Global Impression (from 1 to 7 : higher scores mean a worse outcome).

Inclusion Criteria: Young adult patients of a psychiatric's unit (young people from 18 to 25 years old with beginner psychic disorders) who are French-speaking and able to give their informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: Those who do not meet the above criteria.

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