Earlier studies of family psychoeducation and clinical reports on mult
iple family groups (MFGs) have reported substantial reductions in rela
pse rates for patients with schizophrenia. These groups offer an expan
ded social network and thereby may confer a margin of protection again
st relapse. However, to date, there has not been an empirical trial of
this modality. The advent of family psychoeducational and behavioral
management strategies provided the basis for an experimental, three-wa
y comparison of psychoeducational MFGs to psychoeducation in a single-
family format and to MFGs without psychoeducation, using symptomatic r
elapse as the outcome criterion. After 4 years, the psychoeducational
MFGs were significantly more effective in extending remission than the
single-family format, while the MFGs without psychoeducation approxim
ated outcome in the psychoeducational MFGs. The respective relapse rat
es at 4 years were 50%, 78%, and 57%; MFGs averaged 12.5% and 14% per
year. These results point toward an. enhanced and independent, long-te
rm therapeutic effect for multiple family groups, when combined with a
ntipsychotic medication and psychoeducation, with especially promising
cost effectiveness.