Group psychosocial therapy programme (module) for parents of children and adolescents with schizophrenic spectrum disorders: assessing short-term effectiveness

Abstract

Parents’ active involvement in treatment and rehabilitation is considered one of the essential components of comprehensive therapy in child psychiatry. But there is a noticeable lack of scientifically sound and structured group psychosocial therapy programmes for parents of children and adolescents with schizophrenic spectrum disorders. Objective. To assess short-term effectiveness of group psychosocial therapy programme (module) for parents of children and adolescents with schizophrenic spectrum disorders. Methods.: 119 children and adolescents (82 boys and 37 girls) aged 8–17 years and their parents (mothers) were enrolled in the study. The patients were diagnosed with schizophrenic spectrum disorders (using ICD – 10 criteria) and received standard medication therapy. Children and adolescents were randomized in two groups: treatment (73 patients) where parents received group psychosocial therapy and control (46 patients) without such therapy. To assess the effectiveness of psychosocial therapy ILK, CGSQ and ECI questionnaires, CGAS scale and scale measuring awareness of mental disorder and efficiency of psychoeducational programme were used at entry and after 3 and 6 months (filled in by children and their parents). Results. The study demonstrated a decrease in levels of family burden (as measured by CGSQ and ECI) and an increase in levels of social functioning (as measured by ILK and CGAS). Conclusions. Psychosocial therapy for parents of children and adolescents with schizophrenic spectrum disorders aimed at lowering family burden levels and raising parents’ therapeutic competence has a positive effect on social functioning of children and adolescents with schizophrenic spectrum disorders.