title: Multi-family psycho-education group for assertive community treatment clients and families of culturally diverse background: a pilot study.
abstract: This study evaluates the incorporation of Multi-Family Psycho-education Group (MFPG) to an Assertive Community Treatment Team developed to serve culturally diverse clients who suffers from severe mental illness. Participants included Chinese and Tamil clients and their family members. Family members' well-being, perceived burden, and acceptance of clients were assessed before and after the intervention. Focus group interviews with clinicians were conducted to qualitatively examine MFPG. Family members' acceptance increased after MFPG. Regular attendance was associated with reduction in perceived family burden. Culturally competent delivery of MFPG enhanced family members' understanding of mental illness and reduced stress levels and negative feelings towards clients.
authors.affiliation: Assertive Community Treatment Team and Mental Health Court Support Program, Community Mental Health Program, Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai Hospital, Joseph and Wolf Lebovic Health Complex and the University of Toronto, 260 Spadina Avenue, Suite 204, Toronto, ON, M5T 2E4, Canada. wchow@mtsinai.on.ca
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Law
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Andermann
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Molyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leszcz
authors.forename: Jiahui
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sadavoy
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D019260:Expressed Emotion; D054541:Family Conflict / Q000523:psychology; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D019303:Multilingualism; D009864:Ontario; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011287:Prejudice; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012934:Social Isolation; D012944:Social Support; D016896:Treatment Outcome