Family Psychoeducation with Schizophrenic Patients and Their Families from the Viewpoint of Empowerment

Summary

We evaluated the effectiveness of psycho educational intervention in the families of schizophrenic patients. Eighty-five schizophrenic patients admitted to Kounodai Hospital were randomly assigned to receive either multiple family psychoeducational interventions (intervention group) or routine treatment alone (control group). EE (Expressed Emotion) scores and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) scores were monitored prospectively, and the dosages of antipsychotics were also measured retrospectively when all of the interventions had finished. In the nine months of follow-up after discharge, family psychoeducation significantly decreased the risk of psychotic relapse, not only in the high-EE group but also in the total group. The rate of high Emotional Overinvolvement (high EOI) was decreased significantly in the intervention group, and the total dosage of antipsychotics during hospitalization was also significantly decreased in the intervention group. These findings suggest that psychoeducation resulted in greater protection of the patients against psychotic relapse than routine treatment alone. A remarkable decrease in EOI of relatives and decrease in the total antipsychotic dosages of the patients could be the indices of the change in the relationships between the patients and their relatives. An experience of empowerment in the program could have a positive influence on interpersonal relations within the family.