Efficacy of a support group intervention on psychopathological characteristics among caregivers of psychotic patients

Mentis, Manolis; Messinis, Lambros; Kotrotsiou, E.; Angelopoulos, Nikiforos V.; Marneras, C.; Papathanasopoulos, Panagiotis; Dardiotis, Efthimios

doi:10.1177/0020764014547075

Cited by 8 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…The current results underscore the importance of carer and family interventions in psychosis (NICE, 2014) and particularly carer only interventions (e.g. Mentis et al 2015, Roddy et al 2015, Yesufu-Udechuku et al 2015 as recently included in the NICE Psychosis and Schizophrenia Guidance (NICE, 2014). It seems likely that carers and family members who feature in the delusional beliefs of their relatives may have fewer opportunities to engage in structured family interventions alongside service users.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 66%

Caring for a relative with delusional beliefs: a qualitative exploration

Onwumere

Learmonth

Kuipers

2016

Psychiatric Ment Health Nurs

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Background In recent years, there has been a gradual shift towards the study of individual symptom presentations in psychosis, this is particularly found in studies of delusional beliefs. However, the literature remains sparse on informal caregiver experiences of individual symptoms. Aim The study sought to investigate carer experiences of supporting a relative with delusional beliefs, which involve family members. Methods Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with five caregivers and subject to interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results Interviews yielded six superordinate themes highlighting issues concerning a carer's exposure to symptoms of illness; lack of understanding about their relatives' delusional beliefs; concerns over coming to harm from their relative: efforts made by the carer to conceal their relative's delusional beliefs and their consequences; fractured relationships, and a long process of learning how to best cope. Conclusion Caring for a relative with psychosis who experiences delusional beliefs about the carer and family members can be challenging. The results underscore the importance of providing a programme of support to meet the varied needs of informal carers with an explicit aim of assisting carers in their day-to-day problem solving. It should also help to address issues carers may have about causality, including beliefs about self-blame, and identifying effective coping strategies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 66%

Caring for a relative with delusional beliefs: a qualitative exploration

Onwumere

Learmonth

Kuipers

2016

Psychiatric Ment Health Nurs

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“…Some caregivers may need little to no support, whereas others require greater intervention to be successful. Decreases in burden, reported depressive and anxious symptoms and feelings of shame and isolation are found when these needs are met (Mentis et al, 2015;Nilsen et al, 2014;Yesufu-Udechuku et al, 2015). More research is needed to isolate the key ingredients of the ideal intervention, as the data show mixed results.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Caring for caregivers: Understanding and meeting their needs in coping with first episode psychosis

Dillinger

Kersun

2019

Early Intervention Psych

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Aim The first episode of psychosis is a challenging time for both patients and those who care for them. Although literature on treatment is plentiful, literature on how to best support caregivers is more scarce. This review was undertaken to better understand the caregiver experience, determine which interventions most effectively alleviate their burden and examine which other factors may affect outcomes. Methods Articles were retrieved from PubMed and OVID using the following search terms: first episode psychosis (FEP), schizophrenia, caregiver, intervention and burden in various combinations. Only peer‐reviewed articles germane to FEP caregiver experience and interventions written in English were included. Results Caregivers can experience grief, guilt and anxiety during this time. While concerned for their loved one, their own lives take a back seat and their mental and physical health are adversely affected. Some are better prepared to cope and are typically warm, decisive, confident and optimistic. Their families are organized and flexible. Others are less prepared and are more likely to have poor self‐esteem, use avoidant coping strategies and be overly critical. Their families are controlling and have difficulty with communication and balance. These caregivers stand to benefit most from interventions. Conclusions Effective interventions incorporate psychoeducation, problem solving strategies, peer support and clinician guidance. A higher level of interaction with facilitators and peers is associated with better results. Benefits include decreases in caregiver burden, depressive and anxious symptoms and feelings of shame and isolation. Although the literature has yet to isolate the key factors of a successful intervention, this review provides practical suggestions for clinicians and further illustrates the need for more research.

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“…Here support groups may be effective strategies to help family members through this process, making it easier for them to identify the problem, express their feelings and learn from others, and in these situations information and support are shared, hope is given and similar problems and difficulties are resolved. These groups also reduce social isolation, stigma and bias 21 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strategies for coping with family members of patients with mental disorders

Pompeo

Carvalho

Olive

et al. 2016

Rev. Latino-Am. Enfermagem

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Objective: to identify the coping strategies of family members of patients with mental disorders and relate them to family member sociodemographic variables and to the patient's clinical variables. Method: this was a descriptive study conducted at a psychiatric hospital in the interior of the state of São Paulo, with 40 family members of hospitalized patients over the age of 18, and who followed the patient before and during hospitalization. We used tools to characterize the subjects and the Folkman and Lazarus Inventory of Coping Strategies. Results: the coping strategies most often used by family members were social support and problem solving. Mothers and fathers used more functional strategies (self-control p=0.037, positive reappraisal p=0.037, and social support p=0,021). We found no significant differences between the strategies and other variables examined. Conclusion: despite the suffering resulting from the illness of a dear one, family members make more use of functional strategies, allowing them to cope with adversities in a more well-adjusted way.

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Efficacy of a support group intervention on psychopathological characteristics among caregivers of psychotic patients

Cited by 8 publications

References 24 publications

Caring for a relative with delusional beliefs: a qualitative exploration

Caring for a relative with delusional beliefs: a qualitative exploration

Caring for caregivers: Understanding and meeting their needs in coping with first episode psychosis

Strategies for coping with family members of patients with mental disorders

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