Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

MISAPSY: Childhood Maltreatment, Food Insecurity, Psychological Distress and Professional Integration Among Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Young Adults

The MISAPSY study is trying to understand how difficult childhood experiences, not having enough food, and feeling very stressed or sad are connected in young adults in France. These young people often face many challenges and are trying to find jobs and get stable lives. The study will look at how these problems link together and explore what psychologists do to help. It will also compare two different support programmes: one offering food help, and another combining food help with talking therapy. The aim is to find better ways to support vulnerable young adults, helping them feel better emotionally and become more stable in their lives.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Lorraine

Enrolment target

Start

01 Jul 2026

Estimated completion

01 Jun 2027

Trauma and Stress-related Disorders Food Insecurity Child Maltreatment Psychological Distress Depression Symptoms Anxiety Symptoms

What is this study about?

The MISAPSY study is looking into a really important topic: how difficult childhoods, not having enough food, and feelings of stress or sadness are connected for young adults in France. These young people are often facing tough times, needing help with getting jobs and building better lives. Sadly, this group is often not included enough in research about mental health, so we don't know as much as we should about how to best help them.

This study will combine different ways of looking at the problem. Firstly, it will survey many young adults to see how these different issues are linked. Secondly, it will talk to psychologists who work with these young people to understand their experiences and how they try to help. Finally, and very importantly, it will compare two different support programmes. One programme offers regular food aid, while the other offers food aid alongside psychological support (like talking therapies). By doing this, the study hopes to find out which type of support works best to help young adults feel better and improve their situation.

The main goal is to go beyond just looking at one problem at a time. Instead, the study aims to understand how all these different challenges create a tangled web in a young person's life. By understanding these connections better, the researchers hope to develop new, more complete ways to care for vulnerable young adults. The hope is that these new approaches will be fairer, more effective, and can be used in different places to help more young people build a stable and healthier future.

Key takeaways

Looks at how tough childhoods, lack of food, and stress affect young adults.
Compares food assistance alone vs. food assistance plus talking therapy.
Aims to find better ways to support young people in France.
Participation lasts for 12 months and involves questionnaires.
Your information is kept private and confidential.
You can leave the study at any time.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for young adults aged between 18 and 25 years old. To take part, you must already be receiving support from a "Mission Locale" in Paris, which is a service that helps young people find work and integrate into society. You also need to be experiencing severe food insecurity – meaning you often don't have enough food – and feel very stressed or sad, as measured by some questionnaires.

Another important requirement is that you must have experienced at least one difficult childhood event, which will be identified through a simple questionnaire. Crucially, you must be able to understand what the study involves and agree to take part freely by signing a consent form.

There are also some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you are currently receiving intensive psychiatric care for a mental health condition, or if you are in a crisis situation like unstable housing or an acute suicidal crisis, this study might not be suitable as it could interfere with your ongoing care. Also, if you've already taken part in a very similar study or can't understand French well enough for the questionnaires and interviews, you wouldn't be able to participate.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 25 years old?
Do you get support from a Mission Locale in Paris?
Do you often struggle to get enough food?
Do you feel very stressed, low, or down a lot of the time?
Did you experience difficult events during your childhood?
Can you understand and speak French well enough for questionnaires?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, your participation will be spread out over 12 months. It involves completing some questionnaires about your background, how much food you have, your mental well-being, and your childhood experiences. This will happen at the start and then again at different points throughout the year.

Depending on which group you are in, you might receive weekly food assistance for the 12 months or weekly food assistance combined with regular talking therapy sessions with a psychologist. The study will track your progress through these questionnaires to see how the different types of support affect your food situation and how you feel emotionally. There are no medications involved in this study. The total duration of your active involvement will be 12 months.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer several benefits. You might gain access to regular food assistance, which could significantly ease food insecurity. If you receive psychological support, this could help you cope with past trauma and current distress, potentially improving your overall well-being. However, there are also some potential risks; talking about difficult childhood experiences or current stress might bring up uncomfortable feelings, and while support is offered, this is something to be aware of. You are completely free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your care or relationship with Mission Locale.

Locations (6)

Mission Locale site Centre
Verified postcode
Paris, France
Mission Locale site Soleil
Verified postcode
Paris, France
Mission Locale site Avenir
Verified postcode
Paris, France
Mission Locale site Milord
Verified postcode
Paris, France
Mission Locale site Est
Verified postcode
Paris, France
Mission Locale site Pyrénées
Verified postcode
Paris, France

Common questions

What is a 'Mission Locale'?

A Mission Locale is a service in France that helps young adults with finding jobs and getting support to build a better life for themselves.

What does 'food insecurity' mean?

Food insecurity means you don't always have reliable access to enough affordable, nutritious food for a healthy life. It often means worrying about where your next meal will come from.

What kind of childhood difficulties are you asking about?

We are asking about things like neglect, abuse, or other very stressful events that might have happened when you were a child. This is to understand how past experiences might affect you now.

Will I get talking therapy if I join?

Some participants will receive talking therapy as part of their support program, alongside food assistance. Others will receive only food assistance. The study compares these two approaches.

What happens to the information I share?

All information you share will be kept private and confidential. Your name will not be linked to your answers, and the results will be used to help more young people in the future.

How to find out more

Aziz ESSADEK, PhD

aziz.essadek@u-paris.fr +33667344173 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.