[Efficacy of an intervention programme on burnout symptoms of partners of depressed patients]. / Wirksamkeit eines Interventionsprogramms auf die Burnout-Belastung von Lebenspartnern depressiv Erkrankter.

AIM OF THE STUDY: A newly developed group intervention programme was evaluated with regard to its effectiveness to decrease the burnout symptoms of the partners of depressed patients. METHODS: Within a period of six months, a group of 66 persons has taken part in the intervention for a total of twelve group sessions. A control group consisted of 50 persons without any intervention. Burnout was assessed using the German version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). To evaluate the time effect, the burnout dimensions were used as independent variables in random effects models. RESULTS: Over the analyzed period of time no significant positive effect was measured on any of the assessed burnout dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: An increased inclusion of depressed patients in the intervention as well as an increased intensity and a lowering of the admission threshold for the heavily burdened relatives could increase the effectiveness of the program.

[A programme to assist close relatives and lifelong partners in caring for persons suffering from depressions or schizophrenic disorders]. / Ein Unterstützungsprogramm für Lebenspartner von Menschen mit depressiven oder schizophrenen Störungen.

OBJECTIVE: Lifelong partners or close relatives of persons suffering from mental disorders will naturally step in to help by assuming a great variety of tasks. By witnessing their relative's illness on a daily basis, they are exposed to many burdens with a negative impact on their own well-being. Hence, supporting the relatives of persons with mental disorders appears imperative. While there are various approaches to working with relatives, there are hardly any specific programmes for working with certain groups of relatives such as spouses, children or siblings. METHODS: Basing on a discussion of the various approaches to looking after relatives, development of a programme is described aimed at specifically supporting spouses of persons suffering from depression or schizophrenia. RESULTS: The concept of our programme is presented and results of its evaluation by participants are reported. CONCLUSION: The initial experiences with the support programme are quite promising. An evaluation of its effects, based on a case-control-design, is currently under way.

[Educational needs among spouses of depressive patients and their illness models of depression]. / Wie nehmen Lebenspartner depressiver Patienten die Krankheit wahr und welche Informationen brauchen sie?

BACKGROUND: Psychoeducational workshops for families of depressive patients emphasize the provision of information about the patient's illness and methods of coping with it effectively. However, intervention programmes for the specific needs of patients' spouses are rare. To further explore the situation of patients' spouses we examined how spouses of depressive patients view illness behaviour and what kind of further information they need. METHOD: Interview data from 54 spouses of patients with unipolar depression were analysed as part of the baseline assessment of a study on the economic and health burden experienced by families with mentally ill relatives. RESULTS: Results are discussed in terms of the consequences of spouses' illness models for designing psychoeducational workshops for the families of depressive patients. The results document the great need for negotiated partnership between families and professionals. Furthermore, the need for educating the public about the disorder and its psychosocial costs for the patients' families is highlighted.