RESUMEN
Background: In family members with a schizophrenic patient emotionalproblems, stressful situations, significant life changes are often observed. On the otherhand rehabilitation of these patients is an integral part of their aftercare and communitytenure.Aims: In this study the effect of the participation of schizophrenic patients in rehabilitationprogrammes, on the atmosphere of their families and the emotional well-being oftheir caregivers are examined.Method: Sixty six caregivers of patients in rehabilitation (group A) were comparedwith seventy caregivers of patients, not attending any rehabilitation programme (group B),in terms of their family atmosphere and emotional well-being, assessed by the FamilyAtmosphere Scale and the CES-D scale respectively.Results: The family atmosphere of the patients who were participating in a rehabilitationprogramme was found to be more positive (higher degree of patients acceptance,autonomy and compliance as well as fewer economic problems) than that of their counterparts,not in rehabilitation. Group A caregivers were also found to exhibit less depressivesymptomatology.Conclusions: It seems that psychosocial rehabilitation and its vanous therapeutic activitieshas a positive impact on several components of family atmosphere of the participatingpatients and the emotional status of their caregivers (AU)