Family Support Groups for family members of mentally ill offenders: a pilot study

Rowaert, Sara; Vandevelde, Stijn; Audenaert, Kurt; Lemmens, Gilbert

doi:10.1080/14789949.2018.1508482

Cited by 5 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…The scores on the ZBI‐22 showed an improvement of emotional well‐being after the intervention (pre‐intervention: M = 13.53 (SD = 5.18) versus post‐intervention: M = 12.29 (SD = 4.80), F(1,165) = 7.643, p < .05) (Rowaert et al., submitted b ). This indicates that people experience fewer family burdens, which increases their emotional well‐being.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Over the time of the intervention (session 4 − session 1), a negative correlation with ‘support from the group’ (Bf 3) (r = −0.590, p < .05) was found. A decrease on the scale ‘loss of control over one's life’ was found after the intervention (pre‐intervention: M = 9 (SD = 2.98) versus post‐intervention: M = 8.12 (SD = 3.04), F(1,163) = 4616, p < .05) (Rowaert et al., submitted b ) and indicates that people experience less family burden on this scale, which increases the sense of control they have over their lives. From session 1 to session 4, negative correlations were found with ‘similarity with others’ (Bf 18) (r = −0.563, p < .05) and with ‘universality of problems’ (Bf 20) (r = −0.533, p < .05).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Associations were analysed by correlating the mean difference between pre‐ and post‐intervention scores with the difference of the main and basic therapeutic factors over the course of the intervention (i.e., mean difference of session 4 − session 1). Based on the scores of the CERQ, a significant decrease in self‐blame was found after the intervention (pre‐intervention: M = 8.88 (SD = 2.87) versus post‐intervention: M = 7.53 (SD = 2.53), F(1,169) = 5.493, p < .05), indicating that family members make less use of this coping strategy (Rowaert et al., submitted b ). This result was correlated with different therapeutic factors over the course of the intervention (session 4 − session 1).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The questionnaires were filled out by the family members one week before the start of the group (T0) and one week after the last session (T1). Improvement from T0 to T1 was described as a significant mean difference of the scores on the ZBI‐22 and the CERQ (for further details on the outcome of the study, see Rowaert et al., submitted b ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To address this lack, a Family Support Group (FSG) intervention has recently been developed to support and empower family members in dealing with the mental illness and the judicial situation of a relative (Rowaert, Hanssens, Audenaert, Vandevelde, & Lemmens, submitted a ). Preliminary results of a pilot study investigating family burdens and cognitive coping strategies indicate that family members experienced less self‐blame, improved emotional well‐being, and less loss of control over their lives after participating in the FSG (Rowaert, Vandevelde, Audenaert, & Lemmens, submitted b ). However, it is also important to investigate the therapeutic factors underlying these benefits, which is the major aim of the current study, so that they can be emphasised in therapy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Family Support Groups for Family Members of Mentally Ill Offenders: Therapeutic Factors

Rowaert

Vandevelde

Audenaert

et al. 2018

ANZ J of Family Therapy

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This study investigates therapeutic factors of a Family Support Group (FSG) intervention for family members of mentally ill offenders. Seventeen family members completed the 'Group Therapeutic Factors-Client Questionnaire' (GTF-CQ-28) during four sessions of two FSGs. Results indicate that family members experienced the following therapeutic factors over the course of treatment: the relational climate, interactional confirmation, expressing and experiencing mutual positive feelings, forgetting own problems, hope from seeing progress in others, guidance from therapists, and getting interpersonal feedback treatment. The therapeutic factors, including learning by observation, support from the group, and universality of problems, correlated with a decrease in selfblame, improved emotional well-being, and experiencing less loss of control over one's life, respectively. Further, family members were satisfied with what the FSG has provided for them personally and for the relation with their relative. Finally, clinical implications of the FSG are discussed. The study sheds light on valuable therapeutic factors within an FSG and the important role of therapists. Key Points1 Family members who have a relative that is a mentally ill offender are often doubly stigmatised because of the latter's psychiatric problems and the criminal offences committed, which cause manyburdens that need to be addressed by others (friends, family members, or professionals). 2 Family Support Groups (FSGs) are based on Multi-Family Group therapy to support and empower family members of mentally ill offenders. 3 It is important for practitioners to know and focus on helpful therapeutic factors underlying an FSG including group support, similarity with others, and therapeutic guidance to empower and support family members in dealing with their situation. 4 Within forensic psychiatry there is a dearth of family interventions to support family members of mentally ill offenders, especially those that focus on family members, and this is also not yet addressed in research. 5 Focusing on treatment improvement is valuable in looking at the impact the FSG has on family members' coping strategies and burdens; FSG is a valuable therapy for family members to relieve burdens and to reduce feelings of self-blame.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Family Support Groups for Family Members of Mentally Ill Offenders: Therapeutic Factors

Rowaert

Vandevelde

Audenaert

et al. 2018

ANZ J of Family Therapy

Self Cite

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A Family Support Group for Family Members of Offenders with a Mental Illness – Part 2: Treatment Protocol

Rowaert

Hanssens

Audenaert

et al. 2018

ANZ J of Family Therapy

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Family members of offenders with a mental illness experience serious emotional, social, financial, and psychological burdens. They have to deal with both a rollercoaster of emotions and a double stigma for which they need support. However, until now, few family interventions have been developed in forensic settings because they face particular challenges. Therefore, a family support group (FSG) has been developed to support family members in dealing with both the mental illness and the judicial order of their relative. The present article describes the treatment protocol of an FSG which is based on a multi‐family group format that integrates systemic and narrative approaches and is adapted to the forensic context. The organisation of the FSG is explained and clinical vignettes are used to illustrate the therapeutic process. Finally, some reflections about the FSG are discussed.

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Homicide in the context of psychosis: analysis of prior service utilisation and age at onset of illness and violence

Penney,

Lam,

Kolla

et al. 2023

BJPsych open

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Background Public stigma and fear are heightened in cases of extreme violence perpetrated by persons with serious mental illness (SMI). Prevention efforts require understanding of illness patterns and treatment needs prior to these events unfolding. Aims To examine mental health service utilisation by persons who committed homicide and entered into forensic care, to investigate the adequacy of mental healthcare preceding these offences. Method Forensic patients across two mental health hospitals in Ontario with an admitting offence of homicide between 2011 and 2021 were identified (n = 112). Sociodemographic, clinical and offence-related variables were coded from the health record and reports prepared for the forensic tribunal. Results Most patients (75.7%) had mental health contacts preceding the homicide, with 28.4% having a psychiatric in-patient admission in the year prior. For those with service contacts in the year preceding, 50.9% had had only sporadic contact and 70.7% were non-adherent with prescribed medications. Victims were commonly known to the individual (35.7%) and were often family members in care-providing roles (55.4%). Examination of age at onset of illness and offending patterns suggested that most persons admitted to forensic care for homicide act in the context of illness and exhibit a low frequency of pre-homicide offending. Conclusions Many individuals admitted to forensic care for homicide have had inadequate mental healthcare leading up to this point. Effective responses to reduce and manage risk should encompass services that proactively address illness-related (e.g. earlier access and better maintenance in care) and criminogenic (e.g. substance use treatment, employment and psychosocial supports) domains.

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Family Support Groups for family members of mentally ill offenders: a pilot study

Cited by 5 publications

References 25 publications

Family Support Groups for Family Members of Mentally Ill Offenders: Therapeutic Factors

Family Support Groups for Family Members of Mentally Ill Offenders: Therapeutic Factors

A Family Support Group for Family Members of Offenders with a Mental Illness – Part 2: Treatment Protocol

Homicide in the context of psychosis: analysis of prior service utilisation and age at onset of illness and violence

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