Family environment and psychoeducation in first-episode schizophrenia:: Preliminary results

Psychoeducation provides training for the understanding and resolution of illness-related disruptions, improving the patient outcome and quality of life. Objective: To establish the family environment in a group of first-episode schizophrenia patients and to determine the basis for a psychoeducation program. Method Fifty relatives of schizophrenic patients from the project of first-psychotic-episode follow-up were included. Family environment was rated with the North-Sachar Family Life Questionnaire and a family workshop, which consisted of 6 informative sessions, using the Family Workshop Form. Results: Members reported daily life disruptions (34%) related to illness. The workshop was considered useful for illness management (51.5%). Discussion: A psychoeducation program based on the family concluded needs may have influence over schizophrenia outcome.