Do different types of family intervention : multifamily group (MFG) and single family intervention (SFI) influence satisfaction and remission state ?

Background:The importance of psychoeducative family intervention in first episode psychosis (FEP) is well-established. Risk of relapse is diminished and patients report satisfaction with treatment including family... [ view full abstract ]

Background:

The importance of psychoeducative family intervention in first episode psychosis (FEP) is well-established. Risk of relapse is diminished and patients report satisfaction with treatment including family intervention. Caregivers report less burden and greater satisfaction. Little is known as to which intervention is most helpful and under what conditions.

Aims:

To examine differences in patients’ and relatives’ satisfaction and differences in remission state, depending on type of family intervention.

Materiel and method:

49 patients and 74 caregivers of the patients were included in an early-psychosis service (OPUS) with an ICD-10 diagnosis of F20-F29 (excl. F21), median age 20 years (18-27 years), in Psychiatry Region Zealand, Denmark. Ninety-six % of the patients were diagnosed with schizophrenia. Inclusion period 1.4.2011 – 31.3.2013. 

Half of the families were offered MFG, the other half SFI. At 3 years follow-up satisfaction with family-intervention is evaluated by a Likert scale, from 1 (very unsatisfied) to 7 (very satisfied). Remission state is assessed at 3 years follow-up.

Results:

24.5 % of the patients received SFI, 26.5 % of the patients received MFG and 49 % of the patients received not-manualized family sessions. Two thirds of the patients report high to very high satisfaction with the family intervention. No significant differences between MFG and SFI.

29.7 % of the relatives have received SFI, 23 % MFG and 46.9 % received not- manualized family sessions. Two thirds report high to very high satisfaction; no significant differences between MFG and SFI.

There were no significant differences between patients and relatives satisfaction.

 Remission data will be presented at the conference.