Impact of Multiple-Family Groups for Outpatients With Schizophrenia on Caregivers' Distress and Resources

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of multiple-family group treatment on distress and psychosocial resources among family caregivers of persons with schizophrenia. A total of 97 consumers with schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder and their caregivers were randomly assigned to receive multiple-family group treatment (N=53) or standard psychiatric outpatient care (N=44). Reliable and valid measures were used to assess caregivers' distress, caregivers' resources, and consumers' clinical status. After consumers' clinical status and baseline rates of caregivers' distress and caregivers' resources were controlled for, the caregivers of consumers who received multiple-family group treatment experienced greater reductions in distress but no increases in resources compared with caregivers of consumers who received standard psychiatric care. Multiple-family group treatment reduced caregivers' distress but did not increase caregivers' resources relative to standard psychiatric care.