Multi-family group intervention in a programme for patients with first-episode psychosis: a Brazilian experience

Patients' relatives are considered crucial for treatment and recovery in psychosis but family intervention studies have shown contradictory results in first-episode psychosis. The aims of this study were to survey caregivers' satisfaction with the multi-family intervention delivered by our programme and to verify if knowledge acquisition about illness and treatment provided by the family intervention was considered enough and understandable.

Sixty five family members of 46 first-episode patients were invited to answer a satisfaction questionnaire about the intervention.

Forty individuals returned the questionnaire: 31 women (77.5%) and nine men (22.5%). Most (82.5%) had daily contact with the patient and 19 (47.5%) were mothers. Regarding knowledge acquisition, approximately one third did not improve their understanding of the illness. Nonetheless, 90% of the participants believed the meetings helped them to cope with their ill relative and 95% approved the multi-family format.

Non-specific aspects of the intervention were seen as the most useful part of the programme. An important target of treatment would be to improve the way in which the specific psychoeducational components are delivered to individuals with low formal education.