[A program for the care of relatives of schizophrenic patients]

The present paper gives a description of a research project which tries to evaluate the significance of family support in reducing relapse rates in schizophrenic patients. Two different forms of support for relatives are compared, a discussion group and an approach furnishing a behavior training in addition. The report is supplemented by depicting some key conditions which should be taken into consideration when establishing a support system for relatives in a Mental State Hospital. This account is based on the data of 35 patients and 62 meetings with relatives collected during the pilot phase of the project.