Psychoeducation for siblings of people with severe mental illness

The effectiveness of psychoeducation in improving attitudes towards psychological disorders and internalized stigma in the family members of bipolar patients: A quasi‐experimental study

Family members of bipolar patients experience stigma following being labeled by others, which can disrupt their routine lives and result in social isolation. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of psychoeducation in improving the attitudes of bipolar patients' family members towards psychological disorders and internalized stigma. The present study is a quasi-experimental study with a pre- and post-test follow-up design, in which 74 individuals were selected by convenience sampling among families who had a member with a bipolar disorder who was referred to the largest psychiatric hospital in Iran in 2021. The participants were randomly divided into the experimental and control groups (n = 37 per group). The members of the experimental group then underwent eight 90-min sessions of psychoeducation. The control group also received psychoeducation at the end of the study. The results of analysis of covariance showed that psychoeducation reduced internalized stigma in the family members of bipolar patients and increased their positive attitudes towards psychological disorders compared with the control group (p < .01). On this basis, psychoeducation can be useful to reduce the internalized stigma of family members of bipolar patients and to increase their positive attitudes towards psychological disorders.

The E Sibling Project - exploratory randomised controlled trial of an online multi-component psychoeducational intervention for siblings of individuals with first episode psychosis

BACKGROUND

Siblings of individuals with first episode psychosis are natural partners to promote service users' recovery and are themselves vulnerable to mental ill health due to the negative impact of psychosis within the family. This study aims to develop and undertake a preliminary evaluation of the efficacy of an online multi-component psychoeducational intervention for siblings of individuals with first episode psychosis. The impetus for the intervention arose from siblings' expressed needs for peer support and information on psychosis, coping and management strategies for common symptoms and ways to promote recovery.

METHODS/DESIGN

The project design draws on the Medical Research Council framework for the design and evaluation of complex interventions. Mixed methods comprising collection of qualitative focus group data, systematic review and expert advisory group consultation are used to develop the theoretical basis for and design of the intervention. This protocol focuses on the modelling and piloting phase which uses a randomised controlled trial with factorial design to test the efficacy of the intervention. Outcome data on participants' mental wellbeing, knowledge, perceived self-efficacy and experiences of caregiving will be assessed at baseline, at end of the intervention (10 weeks later) and at 10 week follow-up. In addition, a post-intervention semi-structured interview with 20% of the participants will explore their experiences and acceptability of the intervention.

DISCUSSION

This multi-component online psychoeducational intervention aims to enhance siblings' knowledge about psychosis and their coping capacity, thus potentially improving their own mental wellbeing and promoting their contribution to service users' recovery. The factorial design randomised controlled trial with a supplementary process evaluation using semi-structured interviews and usage-monitoring will collect preliminary evidence of efficacy, feasibility and acceptability, as well as feedback about the barriers and strategies to using such an innovative resource. The RCT will provide data for estimating the likely effect size of the intervention on outcomes for siblings and inform the development of a definitive future trial.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Trial registration: ISRCTN01416694.