title: Psycho-education and family treatment related to the phase of a psychotic disorder.
abstract: There has been a replicated finding that psycho-educational family programs, in combination with medication management, can make a substantial contribution to preventing a relapse in psychotic patients. Different formats have been suggested for implementing these programs (relatives-only groups, single family units, multiple family groups). We have reviewed the appropriateness and the efficacy of these formats for different phases of a specific psychotic episode or in the history of the disorder. The data reviewed indicate that psycho-educational programs focusing on the individual family unit are particularly effective for first or recent-onset schizophrenic patients, particularly during the stabilization phase of treatment. Data on groups for relatives only or multiple-family groups suggest greater effectiveness during later phases of treatment (maintenance) and with more chronic patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles 90095-1563, USA.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Goldstein
mesh_terms: D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education*; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*