Predictors of distress and hope in relatives of individuals with schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND
The present study was conducted to examine factors that may be targeted by psychoeducation programs in order to reduce distress and increase hope in family members of individuals with schizophrenia.


METHODS
Using separate stepwise multiple regressions, we examined the relationships among 51 family members' reactions to a loved one's illness (adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies, criticism, overinvolvement, and blaming attributions) and distress and hope.


RESULTS
Maladaptive coping strategies significantly predicted more distress and less hope in participants. Further stepwise regressions examining the relationship between distress and hope and subgroups of maladaptive coping revealed that mental disengagement was a significant predictor of more distress and behavioral disengagement was a significant predictor of less hope.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that recovery-oriented psychoeducation programs that help family members remain engaged with their relatives and work through problems (rather than resorting to mental or behavioral avoidance) may be especially helpful for reducing distress and increasing hope in caregivers of the mentally ill.
Friedman-Yakoobian
Michelle S
MS
Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Mfriedm3@bidmc.harvard.edu
de Mamani
Amy Weisman
AW
Mueser
Kim T
KT
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003469:Culture; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D019260:Expressed Emotion; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult