A randomized controlled trial of a caregiver-facilitated problem-solving-based self-learning program for family carers of people with early psychosis

Tong Chien, Wai; Bressington, Daniel; Lubman, Dan I.; Karatzias, Thanos

Abstract

Facilitated self-help and problem-solving strategies can empower and support family carers to cope with caregiving for people with severe mental illness. This single-blind multi-site randomized controlled trial examined the effects of a 5-month family-facilitated problem-solving based self-learning program (PBSP in addition to usual care), versus a family psycho-education group program and usual psychiatric care only in recent-onset psychosis, with a 6-month follow-up. In each of three study sites (integrated community centers for mental wellness), 114 people with early psychosis (≤5 years illness onset) and their family carers were randomly selected and allocated to one of three study groups (n=38). Caregiving burden (primary outcome) and patients’ and carers’ health conditions were assessed at recruitment, and 1-month and 6-month post-intervention. Overall, 106 (94.7%) participants completed the assigned intervention and ≥1 post-test. Generalized Estimating Equations and subsequent contrast tests indicated that the PBSP participants showed significant greater improvements in carers’ burden, caregiving experiences and problem-solving ability, and patients’ psychotic symptoms, recovery and duration of re-hospitalizations over the 6-month follow-up, compared with the other two groups (moderate to large effect size, η2= 0.12-0.24). Family-assisted problem-solving based self-learning program is found effective to improve both psychotic patients’ and their carers’ psychosocial health in over a medium term, thus reducing patients’ risk of relapse.

Citation

Tong Chien, W., Bressington, D., Lubman, D. I., & Karatzias, T. (2020). A randomized controlled trial of a caregiver-facilitated problem-solving-based self-learning program for family carers of people with early psychosis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(24), Article 9343. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17249343

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 11, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Dec 14, 2020
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Deposit Date: Dec 11, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 14, 2020
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 24
• Article Number: 9343
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17249343
• Keywords: problem solving; psychoeducation; randomized controlled trial; psychosis; self-learning
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2710378