The high rates of depressive symptoms among Latino families caring for a relative with schizophrenia suggest that interventions should include attention to the mental health and recovery of family caregivers in addition to the patient's recovery. Younger Latino caregivers and those with lower levels of education are particularly at risk of depression.

The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of subjective burden among Latino family members providing care for a loved one with schizophrenia. Data were collected from outpatient community mental health centers and featured 64 Latino family members who were primarily Spanish speaking and of Mexican origin. We used qualitative methods to examine subjective burden based on an open section of the Family Burden Interview Schedule. Five salient themes emerged capturing family members’ subjective burden experience: (a) interpersonal family relationships, (b) emotional and physical health, (c) loss of role expectations, (d) religion and spirituality, and (e) stigma. Overall, findings illustrated that families perceived numerous challenges in their caregiving. Implications for research and practice among Latino family members are discussed.

This study examined hope and family burden among Latino families of individuals with schizophrenia. The sample consisted of 54 family members, one family member per outpatient adult recruited from public mental health programs in a diverse urban community. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were used to test the hypothesis that the family member’s increased hope for the patient’s future would be associated with decreased family burden beyond effects explained by the patient’s length of illness and severity of symptoms. Results supported the study hypothesis. Family hope for the patient’s future was associated with four of five types of family burden. Findings point to the prominent role of hope as a source of resilience for Latino families dealing with severe mental illness of a loved one.

This study explored hope among Latinos with schizophrenia and their family caregivers to gain a greater understanding of how it is experienced in the family context. Data were collected from 34 participants (14 individuals with schizophrenia; 20 family caregivers). Semistructured in-depth interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis, comparing codes across and within consumer and family caregiver transcripts. Findings revealed that hope was conceptualized as a multidimensional construct and was a vital resource for participants. Specifically, there was an emphasis on contextual factors that included religion and spirituality and interpersonal relationships. Findings underscore the need to expand our understanding of how hope is perceived and developed among Latinos and other underserved groups. This could lead to better recognition of this salient resource to incorporate its varied dimensions into treatment models that address the needs of consumers and family caregivers.

Objective: We assessed the rate of recovery from schizophrenia in community-based psychosocial rehabilitation and whether psychosocial attributes predicted the achievement of recovery beyond demographic and clinical characteristics. Methods: We used data from 246 individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorder collected at baseline and at 6 and 12 months after admission to psychosocial rehabilitation. Results: The proportion of participants who showed recovery during either 6-month period and the full 1-year period was 19.86% and 7.53%, respectively. Although predictors of recovery for the 1-year period could not be reliably estimated due to its low rate, higher levels of intrinsic motivation and more positive family relationships at baseline predicted recovery for either 6-month period after controlling for initial functioning capacity. Conclusions: One in five individuals with schizophrenia who engage in intensive community-based psychosocial rehabilitation can achieve periods of recovery during treatment. Psychosocial attributes at the start of treatment are important contributors to subsequent recovery.