title: Key Elements of a Family Intervention for Schizophrenia: A Qualitative Analysis of an RCT.
abstract: Schizophrenia is a complex biopsychosocial condition in which expressed emotion in family members is a robust predictor of relapse. Not surprisingly, family interventions are remarkably effective and thus recommended in current treatment guidelines. Their key elements seem to be common therapeutic factors, followed by education and coping skills training. However, few studies have explored these key elements and the process of the intervention itself. We conducted a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the records from a pioneering family intervention trial addressing expressed emotion, published by Leff and colleagues four decades ago. Records were analyzed into categories and data explored using descriptive statistics. This was complemented by a narrative evaluation using an inductive approach based on emotional markers and markers of change. The most used strategies in the intervention were addressing needs, followed by coping skills enhancement, advice, and emotional support. Dealing with overinvolvement and reframing were the next most frequent. Single-family home sessions seemed to augment the therapeutic work conducted in family groups. Overall the intervention seemed to promote cognitive and emotional change in the participants, and therapists were sensitive to the emotional trajectory of each subject. On the basis of our findings, we developed a longitudinal framework for better understanding the process of this treatment approach.
authors.affiliation: Chronic Diseases Research Center (CEDOC), Nova Medical School/Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.|Clínica Psiquiátrica de S. José, Sisters Hospitallers, Lisbon, Portugal.
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Grácio
authors.affiliation: Chronic Diseases Research Center (CEDOC), Nova Medical School/Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gonçalves-Pereira
authors.affiliation: King's College London, London, UK.|University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leff
mesh_terms: D019260:Expressed Emotion; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Family Interventions; Process; Psychoeducation; Psychosis; Qualitative Research; Schizophrenia; esquizofrenia; intervenciones familiares; investigación cualitativa; proceso; psicoeducación; psicosis; 定性研究; 家庭干预; 心理教育; 精神分裂症; 精神病; 过程