Motivation and Skills Support (MASS)

This project will involve an examination of the impact of a mobile intervention to improve
social functioning in schizophrenia using an evidence-based treatment framework to target
deficits in social skills and social motivation. Social impairment is a key characteristic of
schizophrenia, present prior to onset and predictive of long-term course. The approach of the
current project is to use Ecological Momentary Intervention (EMI), administered by mobile
phone, to integrate features from social skills training (SST; an evidence-based treatment
for schizophrenia) with social motivation support to improve social functioning. Aim 1 of the
project will involve iterative development of the mobile application, using expert panel
input and conducting usability testing to inform intervention content and approach. As an
exploratory aim, social sensing technology (e.g., GPS and automated conversation detection)
will be implemented to test the promise of this technology in identifying and intervening in
social isolation. In Aim 2, 30 persons with schizophrenia will use the application over a
2-month period (data collection will occur across 2 sites). The investigators will test the
impact of the application on social motivation (EMA reports of social anticipatory pleasure
and presence of social interaction) across the intervention period. Investigators will also
examine the impact on social functioning, measured with standard clinician-administered
assessments, from baseline to 90-day follow-up. Additional clinical, neurocognitive, and
social cognitive assessments will be gathered on study participants to identify potential
moderators of outcome and predictors of application usability. This study will result in a
better understanding of the feasibility and initial impact of a scalable intervention
designed to support lasting, sustainable improvements in social functioning in schizophrenia.

Inclusion Criteria:

•All participants with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (identified either by
self-report and confirmatory chart diagnosis, or by using the Structured Clinical Interview
for DSM-5 [SCID-5]) will be in good general physical health, between 18 and 50 years old
(as to not confound developmental issues with our focus), and fluent in English. Subjects
do not need to have a significant other in order to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

•All participants with a current (past 6 months) substance use disorder, which will be
determined by administration of the SCID-5, and self-reported current suicidal ideation
with intent and/or a plan (assessed using attached instrument; i.e., "High" risk) or
diagnosis of a neurological disorder.