Family-based Psychoeducation for Children and Adolescents with Mood Disorders

Abstract

Psychoeducation is often used for family members of adult patients with mood disorders. An increase in family's knowledge of the patient's illness course and outcome is thought to improve treatment compliance and may reduce relapse rates through identification of early symptoms and risks. While studies on familybased psychoeducation of adult patients with mood disorders have been reviewed, a similar review has not been conducted in patients who are children and adolescents. We conducted a systematic review of studies published between 1980 and 2006 on independently standing psychoeducation programs for families with children suffering from mood disorders. Results revealed eight treatment and preventive psychoeducation studies for families of affectively ill children or children at risk for depression. Findings indicate that psychoeducation models typically adopt a workshop approach incorporating didactic teachings and interactive discussion sessions, with or without specific skills training. Given the paucity of randomized controlled trials and lack of comparability between psychoeducation models, conclusions about the true efficacy of each program as a treatment or an adjunct to the treatment of mood disorders in children and adolescents cannot be made. Further research into psychoeducation for families of children with mood disorders is warranted.

Parents of Children with Mental Illness: Exploring the Caregiver Experience and Caregiver-Focused Interventions

“…Psychoeducational psychotherapy (PEP), often referred to as simply psychoeducation, combines psychotherapeutic and educational methods to educate both the patient and the family to reach better outcomes for the entire family (Lukens & McFarlane, 2004). PEP provides families with information about symptoms, course, prognosis, and services and teaches coping and communication skills (ong & Caron, 2008). Interventions implementing PEP are typically manualized and can be conducted with individual families (Lopez, Toprac, Crismon, Boemer, & Baumgartner, 2005;Miklowitz et al, 2004;Sanford et al, 2006) or in a group setting with multiple families (Bradley et al, 2003;Fristad, 2006).…”

Pediatrician-friendly perspectives on cognitive behavioral therapy for anxious youth: Current status and clinical implications for the next normal

“…PE paves the way for the various intervention strategies. PE teaches patients as well as their families about anxiety disorders and treatment alternatives[ 20 , 21 ]. Moreover, PE enables genuine informed consent as well as increased help-seeking, collaboration, demystification, universality, empowerment, and hopefulness[ 18 , 22 - 25 ].…”

Family-focused approaches support outcomes of the patient with bipolar disorder: A family practice lens

“…Broad based term that includes any psychosocial intervention that includes the family with/without the patient and provides education on multiple aspects of mood disorders as well as illness course, communication, personal health and coping skills (Ong & Caron, 2008). Adapted based on each practitioner conducting the intervention.…”

“…Family psychoeducation or family-focused psychoeducation were represented in two articles analyzed within this integrative review. Family psychoeducation is a general term that can include any number of topics that are discussed with the patient or family (Ong & Caron, 2008). Typically, psychoeducation is tailored based on the patient or family needs or based on the outcomes being evaluated within the research study.…”