Counselling the relatives of the long-term adult mentally ill. II. A low-cost supportive model.
A psychosocial intervention is described geared to the needs of carers of the long-term mentally ill, which is feasible for a busy clinical team to implement: relatives were not selected for the group by patient diagnosis or motivation and little extra staff input was required. An interactive education session at home was followed by a monthly relatives group which aimed to reduce components of expressed emotion (EE) and to alleviate burden. The group facilitators adopted a directive but non-judgemental style, and constructive coping efforts were encouraged. The intervention was effective at reducing EE and improving family relationships. The study offers a realistic model of how to offer support to people providing long-term care for the severely mentally ill.
Kuipers
L
L
Psychology Department, Maudsley Hospital, London.
MacCarthy
B
B
Hurry
J
J
Harper
R
R
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003363:Cost Control; D003376:Counseling / Q000191:economics*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000534:rehabilitation; D004644:Emotions; D005190:Family; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support