title: Schizophrenia and family.
abstract: Family represents an important supportive social network for most patients with schizophrenia. In order to provide safe and low-stress environment, necessary for the successful long-term treatment of schizophrenia the family must be helped. Family members suffer both emotionally and financially. Their burden is high and quality of life is low. Relatives change their life values and preferences when a severe mental illness occurs in the family and are ready to cooperate. Family interventions constitute an integral part of complex schizophrenia treatment. To be successful interventions must take into account relatives beliefs, perspectives and issues of concern. The goal of this paper is to 1) overview studies on family burden, 2) provide theoretical background for family interventions, 3) describe a family psychoeducational approach as an optimal treatment modification.
authors.affiliation: Prague Psychiatric Center, 3rd School of Medicine, Charles University, Ustavni 91, 181 03 Praha 8 - Bohnice, Czech Republic. motlova@pep.1f3.cuni.cz
authors.forename: Lucie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Motlova
mesh_terms: D017028:Caregivers; D005190:Family; D005195:Family Relations; D006801:Humans; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011788:Quality of Life; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012960:Socioenvironmental Therapy