title: Effectiveness of a psychoeducational intervention for families of patients with schizophrenia: preliminary results of a study funded by the European Commission.
abstract: In spite of their proven efficacy, psychoeducational interventions for families of patients with schizophrenia are not being commonly applied in clinical practice. In this report, we present the preliminary results of a one-year follow-up study on the implementation and effectiveness of a psychoeducational family intervention in six European countries. Forty-eight professionals were involved in the study and provided the intervention for one year to 55 families of patients with schizophrenia. During the implementation period, the professionals reported significant organisational difficulties in the provision of the intervention, but acknowledged an improvement of their relationships with users and their families. At follow-up assessment, statistically significant improvements were found in patients' symptoms and social functioning as well as in relatives' burden, coping strategies and social resources.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Naples, Italy;
authors.forename: Lorenza
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Magliano
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fiorillo
authors.forename: Grainne
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fadden
authors.forename: Frances
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gair
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Economou
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kallert
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schellong
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xavier
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gonçalves Pereira
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Torres Gonzales
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palma-Crespo
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maj