Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Psychoeducation Given to Children with Parental Psychiatric Disorders

This study was aimed to determine the effectiveness of psychoeducation program which was developed to improve the coping skills and to increase the psychological resistance of 12-18 years children/adolescents whose parents' have psychiatric disorders. The study was carried out between May 2018 - November 2019 with children of patients who applied to the outpatient clinic and inpatient treatment at Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine Department of Psychiatry. Total of 40 children (experiment = 20 and control = 20), participated in the study. Data were collected using Personal Information Form, Adolescent Psychological Resilience Scale and Kidcope. The mean age of the children/adolescents in the experimental group was 14.05 ± 1.90, 50% was male and the mean age of the control group was 15.35 ± 2.08, and 55% were male. It was determined that the mean duration of psychiatric disorders were 11.50 ± 6.39 years and 40% of the psychiatric diagnosis was schizophrenia in the experimental group, and the mean duration psychiatric disorders were 6.10 ± 5.16 years and 30% of the psychiatric diagnosis was a depression in the control group. After psychoeducation, the total scores of scales in the experimental group showed an increase compared to the control group and a significant difference in a statistical context. It was found that children/adolescents participating in the psychoeducation program had increased psychological resilience levels and improved coping skills. This result shows that the psychoeducation program for children/adolescents with psychiatric disorders in their parents is effective.