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Specific and Non-specific Effects of Educational Intervention with Families Living with a Schizophrenic Relative

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

J. V. Smith  and
M. J. Birchwood
J. V. Smith*
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Psychology, All Saints Hospital, Birmingham and Department of Psychology, University of Birmingham
M. J. Birchwood
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Psychology, All Saints Hospital, Birmingham and Department of Psychology, University of Birmingham
*
∗All Saints Hospital, Winson Green, Birmingham B18 5SD
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Abstract

A brief educational intervention with families living with a schizophrenic relative is described and evaluated in terms of benefits for relatives' well-being and patient recovery. Education led to considerable knowledge gains and to reductions in relatives' reported stress symptoms and fear of the patient. There was a trend for relatives to be more optimistic concerning their role in treatment. At 6 months follow-up, only knowledge gains were maintained; however, relatives' perceptions of family burden were significantly reduced. The evidence suggests that family education may be useful both as a cost-effective intervention in its own right and in facilitating a more receptive attitude to subsequent family intervention.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 150 , Issue 5 , May 1987 , pp. 645 - 652
Copyright
Copyright © 1987 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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