Evidence-Based Practices for Services to Families of People With Psychiatric Disabilities

Abstract

Family psychoeducation is an evidence-based practice that has been shown to reduce relapse rates and facilitate recovery of persons who have mental illness. A core set of characteristics of effective family psychoeducation programs has been developed, including the provision of emotional support, education, resources during periods of crisis, and problem-solving skills. Unfortunately, the use of family psychoeducation in routine practice has been limited. Barriers at the level of the consumer and his or her family members, the clinician and the administrator, and the mental health authority reflect the existence of attitudinal, knowledge-based, practical, and systemic obstacles to implementation. Family psychoeducation dissemination efforts that have been successful to date have built consensus at all levels, including among consumers and their family members; have provided ample training, technical assistance, and supervision to clinical staff; and have maintained a long-term perspective.

Getting "to the Point"

“…Family psychoeducation has been shown to reduce relapse and the need for hospitalization in addition to improving the well-being of family members who participated (Dixon, et al, 2001). The Schizophrenia Patient Outcomes Research Team recommends that family members who have contact with a relative who is mentally ill be offered family psychosocial intervention addressing illness education, family support, crisis intervention, and skills training, lasting a minimum of nine months (Dixon, Goldman & Hirad, 1999).…”

The fundamentals of workforce competency: implications for behavioral health

“…More often, consumers now expect caregivers to be capable of providing information about treatment options and engaging them in collaborative decision-making in treatment planning. This unique set of practitioner competencies is seldom addressed in education and training programs (Chinman et al, 1999;Dixon et al, 2001;Young, Forquer, Tran, Starzynski, & Shatkin, 2000).…”

The effectiveness of mutual support group intervention for Chinese families of people with schizophrenia: A randomised controlled trial with 24-month follow-up

“…Family psycho-education and behavioural management interventions for people with schizophrenia are the most frequently used approaches in Western countries (Dixon et al, 2001, Sellwood et al, 2001. Three recent reviews of more than 15 controlled trials concluded that family psycho-education programmes have demonstrated significant positive effects in improving knowledge about mental illness and drug compliance and reducing relapse rates (Pharoah et al, 2010, Pitschel-Walz et al, 2004, Rummel-Kluge and Kissing, 2008.…”

“…Moreover, there is increasing research evidence (e.g., Dixon et al, 2001, Lehman et al, 2004 indicating that the common therapeutic components in the approaches to family intervention, including the sharing of information, psychological support, and practical assistance between peer participants, are associated with greater improvements in the ability of family members to cope with the stress and demands of taking care of a relative with schizophrenia and other severe mental illnesses (Chien and Norman, 2009). Therefore, there is a need to investigate whether any alternative models of family intervention can be effective in improving the psychosocial functioning and well-being of both families and patients.…”