[Family groups and family self-help groups for schizophrenic patients. Concepts, establishment, problems in...

In Münster/W.-Germany the effect of therapeutical work with relatives of young schizophrenic patients is investigated in a government supported prospective study. In this paper we reveal therapeutical concepts and difficulties dealing with the formation and guidance of the relatives groups. After a personal interview about one third of the relatives was interested in relatives groups (151 relatives of 99 patients). Relatives of younger patients with a shorter duration of illness were somewhat more interested. During the one-year-period of group-work about one third of the relatives left the groups. The motivation for a regular participation dependent on the symptoms of the patients. A special training produced better motivation for taking part in long-term self-help-groups.