ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to introduce a psychoeducational family therapy model for the families of schizophrenic patient and to investigate the effect of this model on the changes in coping style and depressive symptoms of the family members, and in perception of emotional support by families and depressive symptoms of patients. METHODS: Subjects were schizophrenic out-patients, who fufilled DSM-IV diagnostic criteria, and their families. The members of "education group" were 11 families and patients who participated in more than two thirds of 19 sessions of the program. The members of "non-education group" were 11 families and patients who had no experience of family education and were treated in a general hospital in Pusan. Clinical ratings were performed using by The Ways of Coping Checklist, Family Emotional Support Questionnaire for Transactions, and Beck Depression Inventory. RESULTS: Coping style was changed positively, in education group but not in non-education group. The depressive symptoms of families were decreased in educated group and increased in non-educated group, although there were no statistical significance. In education group, patients felt much better emotional support by their families than patients in non-education group did. At the same time, their depressive symtoms were significantly reduced. The patients from education group were on more successful rehabilitation than those from non-education group were. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that this psychoeducational family therapy model would be helpful to induce the positive changes in coping styles and reduce the depressive symptoms of family members, and it could also induce the reduction of depressive symptoms of schizophrenic patients and help their rehabilitation.