Effects of family interventions on burden of relatives of psychiatric patients in the Netherlands: A pilot study

In this study, the effects of psychoeducational family support groups in th e Netherlands on relatives' burden were investigated, using a quasi-experim ental design. The experimental group consisted of 119 participants of 19 fa mily support groups, the control group of 45 relatives of once-only informa tional meetings. Subjects from both groups filled in a questionnaire before the group started and one year later. While controlling for confounding va riables in multiple regression analyses, significant effects of family supp ort groups were found on elements of burnout and burden.