The Outcome of Family Interventions for the Mothers of Schizophrenia Patients in Iran

Abstract

Family intervention in schizophrenia is known to reduce high expressed emotion (EE) burden in relatives, reduce patients' relapse and improve patient functioning; but these issues have not been studied in Iran. To examine the effects of behavioural family management (based on Falloon's model) for Iranian mothers of patients with schizophrenia, compared with psychoeducation and standard care. Randomized controlled trial in Iran with 55 mothers of outpatients with schizophrenia, of whom 18 received behavioural family management, 19 psychoeducation and 18 standard care. All groups included mothers in all sessions and excluded the patients. Intervention was provided for three months and outcomes were compared at the end of intervention (T1) and over a follow-up period: after three months (T2) and after six months (T3). Psychoeducation consistently produced greater reduced burden in mothers and reduced positive symptoms in patients over the intervention and follow-up periods, compared with the other two treatments. On the other hand, behavioural family management significantly reduced EE in mothers compared to the other groups. However, the results indicated that family interventions have benefits for mothers and patients. Family interventions for Iranian mothers of schizophrenia patients can substantially benefit from family functioning.