Family Therapy and Schizophrenia: Recent Developments

Abstract

A review of recent studies of family interaction as a causal factor in the development of schizophrenia suggests a paucity of evidence supporting this point of view. However, research has suggested family variables may influence the course and outcome of schizophrenia. The impact of schizophrenia on the family has recently received more attention. Some research has identified differences between families of schizophrenics and the families of other diagnostic groups and controls. Whether these studies are beginning to influence the theory and practice of family therapy is discussed. Recent studies suggest the combination of long-acting medication and 'psychosocial' interventions may reduce the relapse rate of schizophrenia in the short term. This research suggests that family therapists must re-evaluate their role in the management of schizophrenia.

The Effect of Family Interventions on Relapse and Rehospitalization in Schizophrenia--A Meta-analysis

“…The psychosocial patient interventions in the comparative studies included psychoeducational interventions, social skills training, supportive or cognitive psychotherapy, and personal therapy. Because the selected studies and their intervention programs have already been described in numerous reviews (Mosher and Keith 1980; Barrowclough and Tarrier 1984; McGill and Lee 1986; Schooler 1986; Waring et al 1986; Falloon et al 1990; Smith and Birchwood 1990; Tarrier and Barrowclough 1990; Lam 1991; Bellack and Mueser 1993; Dixon and Lehman 1995; Goldstein 1995, 1996 a ; Penn and Mueser 1996; Schaub and Brenner 1996), a more detailed description of each study has been omitted in this article. The interested reader may refer to the original literature and the reviews.…”

“…Research results need to be summarized to determine the exact treatment effects achieved through family interventions. In previous narrative reviews (Barrowclough and Tarrier 1984; Strachan 1986; Waring et al 1986; Tarrier 1989; Falloon et al 1990; Smith and Birchwood 1990; Bellack and Mueser 1993; Dixon and Lehman 1995; Penn and Mueser 1996), the quantitative analysis was restricted to the representation of the various statistical significances of the individual studies or to counting the studies with significant results. Thus, information contained in the primary literature was not fully exploited.…”

Systemic Approaches to Psychosis Part I — The Systemic Context

“…It is reported in numerous reviews (e.g. Beels et al, 1982;Barrowclough et al, 1984;Tarrier, 1989;Leff, 1985a;Steinglass, 1987;Falloon, 1990a,b;Rosenfeld, 1982;Waring et al, 1986) of what is now generally termed the psychoeducational approach. Many of these psychoeducational studies have utilised standardised measures of family attitudes in relationships such as the Camberwell Family Interview (CFI) (Brown et al, 1966) and Expressed Emotion (EE) (See Appendix 2) and have taken care with establishing diagnostic groupings.…”