Effects of behavioural family management on family communication and patient outcomes in schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND
Family interventions for schizophrenia have proved to be highly effective in preventing relapse, but it is not clear how they work or how they should be structured.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of a behavioural family intervention and a family support programme on communication, problem solving and outcome in order to determine the impact of structured communication training.


METHODS
Patients and family members participating in the Treatment Strategies in Schizophrenia study were videotaped engaging in 10-minute problem-solving conversations at baseline and after the conclusion of the family intervention. Tapes were subsequently evaluated for changes in communication patterns.


RESULTS
The intensive behavioural intervention did not produce differential improvement in communication, and change in communication was unrelated to patient outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
The data suggest that intensive behavioural family interventions may not be cost efficient, and that change in family communication patterns may only be important for a subset of families.
Bellack
A S
AS
VA Capitol Network, Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC) and University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. abellack@umaryland.edu
Haas
G L
GL
Schooler
N R
NR
Flory
J D
JD
D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003142:Communication; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010359:Patient Readmission; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014743:Videotape Recording