FAMILY INTERVENTIONS FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA

This article reviews the existing evidence for the efficacy and effect iveness of psychoeducational family interventions in the treatment of persons with schizophrenia. There is substantial evidence that psychoe ducational family interventions reduce the rate of patient relapse. Th ere is suggestive, though not conclusive, evidence that these interven tions improve patient functioning and family well-being. Interventions with multifamily groups that include the patient may be of superior b enefit for subgroups of patients. More research is necessary to determ ine the critical ingredients of family interventions, to expand the gr oups of patients included in these studies, and to evaluate a broader range of outcomes.