Multifamily educational intervention in schizophrenia I. Does it have any effect?

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Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine whether a multifamily educational program, consisting of six sessions, may increase the relative's amount of information about schizophrenia, change behavioural aspects related to criticism towards and emotional overinvolvement in the ill family member, and influence relative's perceived burden of the illness. At the end of the program the relatives showed a significant increase in their knowledge about schizophrenia. About 50% of the relatives who initially scored“high” in levels of criticism and emotional overinvolvement changed to“low” score levels. The educational program probably contributed to alleviate the relative's feelings of distress. However, the relatives were still highly concerned and worried about the possibility of suicide. The program did not result in decrease in objective burden and did not help relatives to cope with the consequences of the illness. The results of the study encourage the establishment of educational interventions, preferably in the context of a larger-scale family management program, as a valuable means to assist the relatives in their care-giving function.