Specific and non-specific effects of educational intervention for families living with schizophrenia. A comparison of three methods.
Three methods of delivering an educational intervention to families living with a schizophrenic relative were compared in terms of their efficacy in improving understanding and promoting family and patient well-being. Relatives receiving education in a group acquired more information than relatives receiving information by post or on video, but these differences were not maintained at six-month follow-up. The inclusion of homework assignments did not significantly affect gains in knowledge or any of the non-specific effects observed. The intervention overall led to considerable gains in knowledge, increased optimism concerning the family's role in treatment, and reductions in relatives' stress, which were maintained at follow-up. Fear was reduced in the short-term. Significant improvements in social function were observed at follow-up. The results suggest that the delivery of information, rather than the mode of delivery, is the crucial element in the intervention; however, the additional contextual factors operating in a group may be important if the full potential of education is to be realised.
Birchwood
M
M
Psychology Department, All Saints Hospital, Winson Green, Birmingham.
Smith
J
J
Cochrane
R
R
D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology