Environmental stress has been implicated as an important factor in the relapse of schizophrenic patients receiving optimal drug therapy. In a randomized controlled study, we compared at-home family therapy with clinic-based individual supportive care in the community management of schizophrenia in 36 patients taking neuroleptic maintenance medications. The family-treatment approach sought to enhance the stress-reducing capacity of the patient and his or her family through improved understanding of the illness and training in behavioral methods of problem solving. The results at the end of nine months revealed the superiority of this approach in preventing major symptomatic exacerbations. Only one family-treated patient (6 per cent of all patients) was judged to have had a clinical relapse, as compared with eight patients (44 per cent) treated individually. Family-treated patients averaged 0.83 days in the hospital, as compared with 8.39 days for the comparison group. Significantly lower levels of schizophrenic symptomatology on blind rating-scale assessments supported these clinical observations of the superiority of family management.
This article has been cited by other articles:
Fisher, E. B., Thorpe, C. T., DeVellis, B. M., DeVellis, R. F.
(2007). Healthy Coping, Negative Emotions, and Diabetes Management: A Systematic Review and Appraisal. The Diabetes Educator
33: 1080-1103
[Abstract][Full Text]
Vega, W. A., Karno, M., Alegria, M., Alvidrez, J., Bernal, G., Escamilla, M., Escobar, J., Guarnaccia, P., Jenkins, J., Kopelowicz, A., Lagomasino, I. T., Lewis-Fernandez, R., Marin, H., Lopez, S., Loue, S.
(2007). Research Issues for Improving Treatment of U.S. Hispanics With Persistent Mental Disorders. Psychiatr. Serv.
58: 385-394
[Abstract][Full Text]
Gruber, E. N., Kajevic, M., Agius, M., Martic-Biocina, S.
(2006). Group psychotherapy for parents of patients with schizophrenia.. International Journal of Social Psychiatry
52: 487-500
[Abstract]
Pfammatter, M., Junghan, U. M., Brenner, H. D.
(2006). Efficacy of Psychological Therapy in Schizophrenia: Conclusions From Meta-analyses. Schizophr Bull
32: S64-S80
[Abstract][Full Text]
Glynn, S. M., Cohen, A. N., Dixon, L. B., Niv, N.
(2006). The Potential Impact of the Recovery Movement on Family Interventions for Schizophrenia: Opportunities and Obstacles. Schizophr Bull
32: 451-463
[Abstract][Full Text]
Bradley, G. M., Couchman, G. M., Perlesz, A., Nguyen, A. T., Singh, B., Riess, C.
(2006). Multiple-Family Group Treatment for English- and Vietnamese-Speaking Families Living With Schizophrenia. Psychiatr. Serv.
57: 521-530
[Abstract][Full Text]
Frank, E., Kupfer, D. J., Thase, M. E., Mallinger, A. G., Swartz, H. A., Fagiolini, A. M., Grochocinski, V., Houck, P., Scott, J., Thompson, W., Monk, T.
(2005). Two-Year Outcomes for Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy in Individuals With Bipolar I Disorder. Arch Gen Psychiatry
62: 996-1004
[Abstract][Full Text]
Lenior, M. E, Dingemans, P. M., Schene, A. H, Linszen, D. H
(2005). Predictors of the Early 5-Year Course of Schizophrenia: A Path Analysis. Schizophr Bull
31: 781-791
[Abstract][Full Text]
Wolff, N., Draine, J.
(2004). Dynamics of Social Capital of Prisoners and Community Reentry: Ties That Bind?. JOURNAL OF CORRECTIONAL HEALTH CARE
10: 457-490
[Abstract]
Pitschel-Walz, G., Leucht, S., Bauml, J., Kissling, W., Engel, R. R.
(2004). The Effect of Family Interventions on Relapse and Rehospitalization in Schizophrenia: A Meta-Analysis. Focus
2: 78-94
[Abstract][Full Text]
Hogarty, G. E., Kornblith, S. J., Greenwald, D., DiBarry, A. L., Cooley, S., Ulrich, R. F., Carter, M., Flesher, S.
(2004). Three-Year Trials of Personal Therapy Among Schizophrenic Patients Living With or Independent of Family, I: Description of Study and Effects on Relapse Rates. Focus
2: 146-157
[Abstract][Full Text]
Rose, L., Mallinson, R. K., Walton-Moss, B.
(2002). A Grounded Theory of Families Responding to Mental Illness. West J Nurs Res
24: 516-536
[Abstract]
LENIOR, M. E., DINGEMANS, P. M. A. J., LINSZEN, D. H., DE HAAN, L., SCHENE, A. H.
(2001). Social functioning and the course of early-onset schizophrenia: Five-year follow-up of a psychosocial intervention. Br. J. Psychiatry
179: 53-58
[Abstract][Full Text]
BELLACK, A. S., HAAS, G. L., SCHOOLER, N. R., FLORY, J. D.
(2000). Effects of behavioural family management on family communication and patient outcomes in schizophrenia. Br. J. Psychiatry
177: 434-439
[Abstract][Full Text]
Cuijpers, P., Stam, H.
(2000). Burnout Among Relatives of Psychiatric Patients Attending Psychoeducational Support Groups. Psychiatr. Serv.
51: 375-379
[Abstract][Full Text]
Gasque-Carter, K. O., Curlee, M. B.
(1999). The Educational Needs of Families of Mentally Ill Adults: The South Carolina Experience. Psychiatr. Serv.
50: 520-524
[Abstract][Full Text]
Pollio, D. E., North, C. S., Foster, D. A.
(1998). Content and Curriculum in Psychoeducation Groups for Families of Persons With Severe Mental Illness. Psychiatr. Serv.
49: 816-822
[Abstract][Full Text]
Agarwal, M. R., Sharma, V. K., K.V., K. K., Lowe, D.
(1998). Non-Compliance With Treatment in Patients Suffering From Schizophrenia: a Study To Evaluate Possible Contributing Factors. International Journal of Social Psychiatry
44: 92-106
[Abstract]
Carpenter, W. T., Buchanan, R. W.
(1994). Schizophrenia. NEJM
330: 681-690
[Full Text]
Michels, R., Marzuk, P. M.
(1993). Progress in Psychiatry- First of Two Parts. NEJM
329: 552-560
[Full Text]
Tarrier, N., Barrowclough, C.
(1990). Family Interventions for Schizophrenia. Behav Modif
14: 408-440
[Abstract]
Leff, J.
(1989). Review Article Controversial Issues and Growing Points in Research On Relatives' Expressed Emotion. International Journal of Social Psychiatry
35: 133-145
Dinicola, V. F.
(1988). Abstracts and Reviews : 1. General and Theoretical Issues: Expressed Emotion and Schizophrenia in North India An Essay-Review. Transcultural Psychiatry
25: 205-217
GUBMAN, G. D., TESSLER, R. C.
(1987). The Impact of Mental Illness on Families: Concepts and Priorities. Journal of Family Issues
8: 226-245
[Abstract]
Skynner, R.
(1986). What is Effective in Group Psychotherapy?. Group Analysis
19: 5-22
