Three-year outcome of family work in an early psychosis program.
At the initial presentation to a first-episode of psychosis program, family members were experiencing distress and difficulties. The purpose of the study was to assess the effectiveness of individualized family intervention integrated within a comprehensive treatment program for first episode psychosis. Participants were the family members of individuals who had presented with a first episode of psychosis. Family members were assessed with the Psychological General Well-Being Scale and the Experience of Caregiving Inventory (ECI). Patient data included assessment of positive and negative symptoms, depression, quality of life, and substance use. Assessments were conducted over a three-year period. Over time families demonstrated improved psychological well-being and ECI scores. The most significant predictor of poor psychological well-being was the family's appraisal of the impact of the illness on themselves and not the severity of symptoms or impaired functioning. This family intervention embedded within a treatment program proved to be highly acceptable and effective.
Addington
Jean
J
Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Canada M5T 1R8. jean_addington@camh.net
McCleery
Amanda
A
Addington
Donald
D
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors