This study provides evidence that FFEP is helpful to relatives of persons with SMI by reducing subjective burden and worry, and increasing empowerment, knowledge about SMI, understanding the mental health system, and self-care.
Objective
The Family-to-Family Education Program (FTF) is a 12-week course for family members of adults with mental illness offered by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). This study evaluates the effectiveness of FTF.
Method
A total of 318 consenting participants in five Maryland counties were randomly assigned to take FTF immediately or to wait at least three months for the next available class with free use of any other NAMI, community or professional supports. Participants were interviewed at study enrollment and 3 months later (at course termination) regarding problem and emotion-focused coping, subjective illness burden, and distress. We used a linear mixed effects multilevel regression model to test for significant changes over time between intervention conditions.
Results
FTF participants had significantly greater improvements in problem-focused coping as measured by empowerment and illness knowledge. Exploratory analyses revealed FTF participants had significantly enhanced emotion-focused coping as measured by increased acceptance, reduced distress, and improved problem solving. Subjective illness burden did not differ between groups.
Conclusion
This study provides evidence that FTF is effective for enhancing coping and empowerment of families of persons with mental illness, though not for reducing subjective burden. Other benefits for problem solving and reducing distress are suggested, but require replication.
This study assessed the efficacy of the Family-to-Family Education Program, a structured 12-week program developed by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. A total of 37 family members who participated in the program were evaluated by an independent research team of trained family member assessors at baseline, after completing the program, and six months after program completion. After completing the program, the participants demonstrated significantly greater family, community, and service system empowerment and reduced displeasure and worry about the family member who had a mental illness. These benefits were sustained at six months.
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