Outcomes of the peer-taught 12-week family-to-family education program for severe mental illness.
OBJECTIVE
Family-to-Family Education Program (FFEP) is a 12-week course for family members of adults with serious mental illness (SMI). This study evaluates the effectiveness of FFEP for several family member outcomes.


METHODS
The FFEP enrollees on a > or =3-month waiting list were eligible; 95 consenting family members agreed to four interviews (waitlist, pre-FFEP, post-FFEP, and 6 months post-FFEP) regarding subjective and objective burden, empowerment, and depression. Mixed effects ANOVA models tested hypotheses of decreased burden and increased empowerment after FFEP.


RESULTS
The FFEP was associated with reduced subjective burden (P < 0.01) and increased empowerment (P < 0.01) without changes in objective burden. Knowledge about SMI, understanding the mental health system, and self-care also improved. There was no significant decay at 6-month followup.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides evidence that FFEP is helpful to relatives of persons with SMI by reducing subjective burden and worry, and increasing empowerment, knowledge about SMI, understanding the mental health system, and self-care.
Center for Mental Health Services Research, University of Maryland Baltimore Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. ldixon@psych.umaryland.edu
L
L
Dixon
A
A
Lucksted
B
B
Stewart
J
J
Burland
C H
CH
Brown
L
L
Postrado
C
C
McGuire
M
M
Hoffman
D015142:Baltimore; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005192:Family Health; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015397:Program Evaluation