The effect of a psychoeducational intervention on mental health and anxiety in family caregivers of inpatient patients with schizophrenia: a randomized controlled trial

Schizophrenia is serious and disabling chronic mental illness that requires long-term healthcare in many areas. The majority of those suffering from schizophrenia live with their families, who frequently provide care without any support. Caregivers of schizophrenia patients may not know how to cope with the difficulties they experience. As a result, caregivers of schizophrenia patients frequently face difficulties in their daily lives as well as during the patient's self-care activities at home and in the hospital. Therefore, the difficulties family is faced with due to the illness affect the status of the patients' caregivers. As a result of the difficulties they experience, general health and anxiety are found to be highly prevalent in caregivers of schizophrenia patients. The objective of this study was to find out the effect of psychoeducation program on burden and anxiety experienced by caregivers. A randomized controlled trial designed was used in the study. Fifty caregivers were randomly assigned to one of two groups: one that received psychoeducation and one that did not. During four 90-min sessions, the test group was taught about schizophrenia, communicating with patients, and stress management. Before and after the intervention, the caregivers completed the General Health Questionnaire and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. The results indicate that general health and anxiety scores were significantly lower than the control group. Psychoeducation program significantly reduced the anxiety and improved the mental health of caregivers of schizophrenia patients. It is recommended that psychoeducation program should be included in routine clinical practices.