Caregiver psychoeducation for first-episode psychosis.
BACKGROUND
International best-practice guidelines for the management of first-episode psychosis have recommended the provision of psychoeducation for multifamily groups. While there is ample evidence of their efficacy in multiepisode psychosis, there is a paucity of evidence supporting this approach specifically for first-episode psychosis. We sought to determine whether a six-week caregiver psychoeducation programme geared specifically at first-episode psychosis improves caregiver knowledge and attitudes.


METHODS
Caregivers of people with first-episode psychosis completed a 23-item adapted version of the self-report Family Questionnaire (KQ) and a 17-item adapted version of the self-report Drug Attitudes Inventory (DAI) before and after the six-week DETECT Information and Support Course (DISC). Using a Generalised Linear Repeated Measures Model, we analyzed the differences in proportions of correct answers before and after the programme.


RESULTS
Over a 24-month study period, 31 caregivers (13 higher socioeconomic; 13 lower socioeconomic; five unspecified socioeconomic; 19 female; 12 male) participated in the DISC programme and completed inventories before and after the course. Knowledge of psychosis and specific knowledge of medication treatment improved among caregivers overall (p<.01; effect sizes 0.78 and 0.94 respectively). There were no significant gender or socioeconomic differences in any improvement.


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirms that caregiver psychoeducation specifically for first-episode psychosis directly improves knowledge of the illness overall and, in particular, knowledge of medication. Gender is not a factor in this, while the lack of any socioeconomic differences dispels the myth that patients in lower socioeconomic groups are disadvantaged because their caregivers know less.
McWilliams
Stephen
S
DETECT Early Intervention in Psychosis Service, DETECT, Avila House, Block 5, Blackrock Business Park, Carysfort Avenue, Co. Dublin, Ireland. drstevemb@gmail.com
Egan
Patrick
P
Jackson
Deirdre
D
Renwick
Laoise
L
Foley
Sharon
S
Behan
Caragh
C
Fitzgerald
Emma
E
Fetherston
Alastair
A
Turner
Niall
N
Kinsella
Anthony
A
O'Callaghan
Eadbhard
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education*; D004358:Drug Therapy; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult