Psychosis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Psychosis, including details on clinical depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder.

Three-year outcome of family work in an early psychosis program.

Addington J, McCleery A, Addington D

Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Canada M5T 1R8. jean_addington@camh.net

At the initial presentation to a first-episode of psychosis program, family members were experiencing distress and difficulties. The purpose of the study was to assess the effectiveness of individualized family intervention integrated within a comprehensive treatment program for first episode psychosis. Participants were the family members of individuals who had presented with a first episode of psychosis. Family members were assessed with the Psychological General Well-Being Scale and the Experience of Caregiving Inventory (ECI). Patient data included assessment of positive and negative symptoms, depression, quality of life, and substance use. Assessments were conducted over a three-year period. Over time families demonstrated improved psychological well-being and ECI scores. The most significant predictor of poor psychological well-being was the family's appraisal of the impact of the illness on themselves and not the severity of symptoms or impaired functioning. This family intervention embedded within a treatment program proved to be highly acceptable and effective.

Published 3 October 2005 in Schizophr Res, 79(1): 107-16.
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