Psychotherapy Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Psychotherapy, including details on psychiatry, psychoanalysis, methods, outcomes.

New challenges in family interventions for schizophrenia.

Glynn SM, Cohen AN, Niv N

Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System at West Los Angeles, B151J, 11301 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA. sglynn@ucla.edu

This review first outlines the rationale and research base supporting the development of family interventions for schizophrenia. The over-riding principles guiding effective family interventions for schizophrenia are then presented, along with the key components (engagement, assessment, education, communication skills training and problem-solving) shared by most family programs in schizophrenia. Meta-analyses demonstrating the efficacy of family interventions in reducing relapse and rehospitalization in schizophrenia are then discussed, along with issues regarding minimal duration of effective treatment, differential benefits of single and multiple family modalities and mixed evidence for the maintenance of treatment effects after termination. The benefits of participation in family-organized, nonprofessional support and education programs are then described. Finally, three issues meriting further study are outlined.

Published 25 December 2006 in Expert Rev Neurother, 7(1): 33-43.
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