Effects of the family support and psychoeducation program based on the Calgary Family Intervention Model on the coping, psychological distress and psychological resilience levels of the family caregivers of chronic psychiatric patients.

AIMS: This study was aimed at investigating the effects of family support and psychoeducation program based on Calgary Family Intervention Model on coping, psychological distress and psychological resilience levels of families of chronic psychiatric patients. METHODS: The sample of this quasi-experimental study consisted of the caregivers of chronic psychiatric patients who were admitted to the adult psychiatry inpatient and outpatient unit of a university hospital and the caregivers of chronic psychiatric patients registered with the Schizophrenia Solidarity Association. Nonparametric analysis was used in the analysis of the data. RESULTS: It was found that there was a significant decrease between the mean distress scores the caregivers participating in the Calgary Family Intervention-Based Family Support and Psychoeducation Program obtained from the measurements before, right after, and 3 and 6 months after the intervention (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the coping scores and psychological resilience scores the caregivers obtained from the measurements before, right after, and 3 and 6 months after the intervention (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the family support and psychoeducation program based on the Calgary Family Intervention Model applied to family members giving care to individuals with chronic mental illnesses had positive effects on the general health status of the caregivers.

Mental health-related internet use by people with a diagnosis of chronic psychiatric disorder, attending community mental health centres.

BACKGROUND: There is little information on Internet use for obtaining mental health information among individuals with chronic psychiatric disorders, who are receiving services from community mental health centres (CMHCs). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mental health information-seeking behaviour of individuals with chronic psychiatric disorders who attend CMHCs. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. The data was collected by questionnaire (structured interview format) (n = 135 participants). The collected data were analysed with descriptive statistics and chi-square test. RESULTS: It was found that 75.6% of the participants used the internet to search for information about mental health problems. Although the information retrieved from the internet was frequently or occasionally shared with the mental health team (19.6% and 40.2% of the participants, respectively), general online communication with professionals was rare (93.1% of the participants had not contacted mental health professionals). CONCLUSIONS: Most participants looked for information about their mental health on the internet. Therefore, mental health professionals should consider how to facilitate professional-patient therapeutic communication, with acknowledged Internet use by individuals with chronic psychiatric disorders.

Calgary Family Intervention Model-Based Family Support and Psychoeducation Related Intervention Experiences of Family Members Caring for Patients with a Chronic Mental Illness: "We Are All in the Same Boat".

In the study, it was aimed to investigate the Calgary Family Intervention Model-based Family Support and Psychoeducation Intervention experiences of family members who cared for patients with a chronic mental illness. The sample of this study consisted of 15 caregivers of chronic psychiatric patients who participated in the Calgary Family Intervention Model-based family support and psychoeducation intervention and met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected through semi-structured questions and individual interviews. The interviews were recorded on a voice recorder. In the analysis of the data, content analysis was used. At the end of the study, the following four main themes were obtained: "we are all in the same boat," "shared feelings and mutual learning," "awareness and hope" and "suggestions." The results obtained from the study indicate that cognitive and emotional support need of those who provide care for family members with a chronic mental illness is an important issue that should not be ignored. Creating environments where individuals with similar experiences can share their experiences and providing the support, they need are an important tool that reinforces their hope and awareness.

Examination of Telemental Health Practices in Caregivers of Children and Adolescents with Mental Illnesses: A Systematic Review.

In this systematic review, effects of telemental health (TMH) practices' on caregivers of children/adolescents with mental illnesses were investigated. The literature review included databases, and reference lists of published studies. All studies published until September 2021 were reviewed. Eleven studies were included. Several services were provided via TMH: education, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), parent training, caregiver behavior training, family CBT. The effectiveness of TMH interventions on caregivers varied from low to high. Most reproducible findings were on caregivers' satisfaction, stress, therapeutic alliance and caregiver burden. Studies had a low to high bias risk. Most studies had small samples. Results built on the small but growing literature support TMH interventions' promising role in caregivers of children with mental illness. Future studies should estimate outcomes with medium to low effect size. Other caregiver groups, rarely considered in previous studies, should be included. Bias risk should be minimized. Larger, more methodologically rigorous studies should be conducted.

Experiences of Family Caregivers of Individuals With Chronic Psychiatric Illness in Turkey: A Qualitative Study.

The purpose of the current descriptive qualitative study was to reveal experiences of family caregivers of individuals with chronic psychiatric illness. Family caregivers who provided care to 16 individuals with chronic mental illness were interviewed. Three themes emerged from the interviews: Illness Management, The Caregiver's World: Changes and Effects, and Coping From the Caregiver's Point of View. Understanding the experiences of family caregivers contributes to content development of family intervention programs. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 58(3), 38-46.].

The Impact of Mental Health Nursing Module, Clinical Practice and an Anti-Stigma Program on Nursing Students' Attitudes toward Mental Illness: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

BACKGROUND: It is important to support nursing students during their education in developing positive attitudes toward people with mental illness. OBJECTIVES: To examine the impact of mental health nursing module, clinical practice, and anti-stigma program on the attitudes of nursing students toward mental illness. DESIGN: The study was a single group pretest and posttest quasi-experimental design. SETTINGS: This study was conducted in a nursing school in the west of Turkey. PARTICIPANTS: The sample of the study consisted of 64 undergraduate nursing students. METHODS: The data were collected through the Beliefs Toward Mental Illness Scale and Social Distance Scale. RESULTS: The mean scores of the dangerousness subscale significantly decreased after mental health nursing module, clinical practice and anti-stigma program. The results revealed significant positive differences in the mean scores of the social distance scale after the theory, clinical practice, and anti-stigma program were completed. CONCLUSIONS: The mental health nursing curriculum should be focused on replacing stereotypes with accurate information. Anti-stigma programs should be included in standard mental health nursing courses.

The effect of motivational interviews on treatment adherence and insight levels of patients with schizophrenia: A randomized controlled study.

PURPOSE: To examine the effect of motivational interview (MI) on treatment adherence and insight of the patients diagnosed with schizophrenia at a hospital in Turkey. DESIGN AND METHODS: Individuals with schizophrenia, who match with the sample characteristics, were assigned to intervention (20) and control groups (20) according to the randomization schedule. Personal Information Form, Self-Reported Measure of Medication Adherence, and Schedule for Assessing the Three Components of Insight were used. FINDINGS: Group-wise examinations showed that mean scores of "three component scales of insight" yielded statistically significant difference for the intervention group. Analysis of the Treatment Adherence Scale Mean Scores showed a significant difference for interval mean scores of the intervention group. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Both the pyschiatric patients and the health institutions can benefit from increased levels of treatment adherence and insight by the adoption of the MI methods starting with a patient's first registration to a psychiatric outpatient clinic. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: MI can be included during any of the patient visits to establish treatment collaboration with psychiatric patients at psychiatric facilities, outpatient clinics, and community mental health centers.

Effects of two different psychiatric nursing courses on nursing students' attitudes towards mental illness, perceptions of psychiatric nursing, and career choices.

This quasi-experimental study was carried out to compare the attitudes towards psychiatry patients of students educated with problem-based learning and students educated with a traditional method in western Turkey. The students' perceptions of psychiatric nursing and their career choices were also evaluated. The sample consisted of 202 students; 130 were educated with a problem-based learning model and 72 were educated with a traditional method. Students educated with the problem-based learning method developed more positive attitudes towards mental illness after the psychiatric nursing course in comparison with students educated with the traditional method. Students educated with the traditional method preferred psychiatric nursing in comparison with nursing students educated with problem-based learning. It is important that the psychiatric nursing curriculum includes topics and programs that will create awareness in students regarding stigmatization of mental illness and its effects. In addition, we suggest that studies are performed to determine the perceptions of students towards psychiatric nursing and the factors that affect their career choices.

Exploration of the Factors Affecting the Choices of Nursing Students Who Choose Psychiatric Nursing as the First and Last Choice.

The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the factors that affect the choices of nursing students who chose a psychiatric nursing internship. The sample group of the study consisted of 13 students who listed psychiatric nursing as their first choice and 11 students who listed psychiatric nursing as their last choice. Four themes were determined: personal reasons, stigmatization, experiences related to psychiatric nursing, and perception of care. Providing activities in nursing education to reduce stigmatization and increasing the time allocated for psychiatric nursing theory and practice are recommended.

Emotions, Ideas and Experiences of Caregivers of Patients With Schizophrenia About "Family to Family Support Program".

"Family to Family Support Program" is a significant intervention program to assist families by informing them about treatment procedures and coping strategies, increasing their functionality, helping them to overcome the challenges of the disease. This study was particularly designed to investigate the emotions, thoughts, and experiences of caregivers of schizophrenia patients who participated in "Family to Family Support Program." The study was conducted with one of the qualitative research methods, phenomenological method. The study sample included caregivers who care for schizophrenia patients and participated in the "Family to Family Support Program". Twenty caregivers were included in the sample. The study was carried out in Izmir Schizophrenia Support Association. The study data were collected with four open ended questions. The average age of the participants was 56,77 ± 72,89, 10 male caregivers and 10 female caregivers, 9 caregivers were fathers, 6 caregivers were mothers, and 5 of them were siblings. The thematic analysis indicated that the emotions, thoughts and experiences of caregivers can be categorized in four groups: "I learned to deal with my problems", "I am conscious in my interaction with the patient and I know and I am not alone", "I feel much better", and "Schizophrenia is not the end of the road, knowledge sorts things out." Caregivers who participated in "Family to Family Support Program" expressed their satisfaction that they were benefited from the program, their coping skills were improved, they experienced less challenges when providing care, they understood the disease better, and it felt comfortable.

Motivational Interviewing in a Patient With Schizophrenia to Achieve Treatment Collaboration: A Case Study.

Medication nonadherence decreases the success of clinical treatment and the efficient use of resources, thereby creating a barrier to effective health care. In this report, we describe the achievement of treatment collaboration through motivational interviews (MI) in a patient with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. In this case study, we conducted six MIs during which we asked open-ended and reflective questions, established empathy with the patient, and developed discrepancies, leading to ambivalent feelings being revealed. We used the importance, confidence and self-efficacy ruler. The MI method can be used to ensure continued treatment effectiveness, to increase patient awareness about the disease and benefits of treatment, and to increase patients' self-efficacy.

Effects of a family-to-family support program on the mental health and coping strategies of caregivers of adults with mental illness: a randomized controlled study.

This randomized, controlled intervention study was carried out to investigate the effects of a Family-to-Family Support (FFS) program on the coping strategies and mental health status of caregivers of schizophrenia patients. Data were collected via a General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and the Ways of Coping with Stress Scale (WCSS). During the first phase of the study, the FFS program was developed, followed by a second phase in which the participants of the study were identified and trained. In the third phase, trained caregivers trained other caregivers. The study sample consisted of 46 caregivers. We determined statistically significant differences in the mean GHQ scores of the FFS group over four measurements. In the WCSS subscales, the self-confident approach, optimistic approach and seeking social support approach scores of caregivers participating in the FFS program were high, while their helpless approach score was low. The FFS program had a positive impact on the coping strategies and mental health status of caregivers of schizophrenia patients.

Evaluation of nursing students' attitudes towards seeking psychological help and factors affecting their attitudes.

Psychological help-seeking means to benefit different sources of support system for the difficulties people have. It is important to find out help-seeking attitudes and factors which affect these attitudes, earlier to protect, and to advance mental health. The aim of this study was to investigate nursing students' attitudes towards seeking psychological help and factors which affect their attitudes. The study sample included 248 nursing students exposed to problem based learning at Dokuz Eylül University School of Nursing in the academic year of 2006-2007. Data were collected with Help-Seeking Scale. Obtained data were evaluated with variance analysis, t-test and Mann-Whitney U test. The third and fourth year students had more favorable mean scores for interpersonal openness, being forced and confidence in counselor than the first and second year students. In view of the obtained results, it can be recommended that first and second year students should be followed more carefully in terms of psychological problems and that a longitudinal study should be conducted on students' attitudes towards seeking psychological help throughout their study period.

[Family centered evaluation of treatment outcome in schizophrenia: Marmara Family Interview for the Assesment of Psychiatric Treatment]. / Sizofreni Tedavisinin Aile Merkezli Degerlendirilmesi: Marmara Tedaviyi Degerlendirme Aile Görüsmesi.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of psychiatric treatment has been a central issue in psychiatric research. Most assessment tools are based on the patient's account and mainly focus on clinical agendas. Assessment tools, which gather the perspective of attached daily needs are limited. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the inter-rater reliability and internal consistency of the Marmara Family Interview for the Assessment of Psychiatric Treatment (MFIPT) in a clinical sample. METHOD: The study also aimed to explore a possible association between the investigated assessment tool and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. Thirty patients were followed over a period of 6 months. RESULTS: The inter-rater reliability for the interview subscales were self care/hygiene: kappa= 0.77; social participation: kappa= 0.84; boundaries in daily life: kappa= 0.76; academic/work activities: r= 0.81, clinical condition/symptom severity: kappa= 0.72; attitude towards treatment: kappa=0.82; participation in family crisis/emotional support: kappa= 0.77; participation in daily routines/household activities: kappa= 0.63; use of psychiatric services: kappa= 0.62. Cronbach's alpha was found to be 0.90 for the overall internal consistency of the assessment tool. The strongest correlation between the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and Marmara Family Interview for the Assessment of Psychiatric Treatment was the depression subscale and the participation in family crisis/emotional support item (r= 0.151; P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Marmara Family Interview for the Assessment of Psychiatric Treatment is a reliable instrument for the assessment of daily results of the treatment and daily functioning by the caregivers. Although, it has some limitations in assessing the clinical course.

The impact of antistigma education on the attitudes of general practitioners regarding schizophrenia.

The aim of this study was to examine the views and attitudes of general practitioners (GP) with respect to schizophrenia, and the changes in their attitudes after antistigma education. A total of 106 GPs working in 71 health institutions were included in the study. A questionnaire of 16 items, focussing on doctors' views and attitudes towards schizophrenia, was applied. Questions were about the views and attitudes of doctors towards general myths related to schizophrenia. Doctors were asked to select one of two responses: 'I agree' or 'I disagree', for statements such as 'schizophrenic patients cannot work' and 'schizophrenic patients are aggressive and dangerous'. After completing the questionnaire, all the GPs were given a single session of antistigma education. The questionnaire was repeated 3 months after training meetings in a subsample of 54 GPs which represented the whole sample in terms of gender, age, and years in medical practice. The authors found statistically significant, positive changes on five items out of the 16 items in the post-test survey when compared to attitudes before training, including items about the treatability of schizophrenia, harmfulness and untrustworthiness of schizophrenic patients. The authors' findings suggest that one antistigma education session, supported by the distribution of related documents, can improve GPs attitudes towards schizophrenia.

Cognitive predictors of skill acquisition on social problem solving in patients with schizophrenia.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between social problem solving ability, clinical features and cognitive functions, and determine the predictors of benefit from social problem solving training in 63 patients with schizophrenia. We administered Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Digit Span Test, Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and the Assessment of Interpersonal Problem Solving Skills (AIPSS). Only BPRS-positive symptoms subscale was negatively related to AIPSS on linear regression analysis. After the completion of the pretest, the patients were randomized to either problem solving training (n = 32) or control groups (n = 31). Patients in training group received 6 weeks problem solving training in-group modality, and those in control group were treated as usual. We readministered AIPSS at the end of 6 weeks. There were significant changes from pretest to posttest on AIPSS-total, AIPSS-receiving skills, and AIPSS-processing skills score in training group but not in control group. The number of correct answers in WCST and CPT hit rate were the predictors of post-training AIPSS scores in training group. Our findings suggest that skill acquisition on social problem solving is related with cognitive flexibility and sustained attention.