Adapting multiple-family group treatment for brain and spinal cord injury intervention development and preliminary outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: There is a need for interventions that assist in managing the multiple adjustments of persons with spinal cord and brain injuries and their families. The purpose of the present field-initiated development project was to adapt a family psychoeducation model, multiple-family group treatment (MFGT), for persons with brain and spinal cord injury and their families. DESIGN: The experiences of survivors and caregivers in MFGT were evaluated using quantitative and qualitative methods. Twenty-seven survivors and 28 caregivers participated in MFGT for 12-18 mos. Reliable and valid quantitative measures were used to assess a variety of target outcomes. Additionally, semistructured interviews and focus groups were conducted with participants. RESULTS: Survivors reported a decrease in depressive symptoms and anger expression toward others as well as an increase in life satisfaction. Caregivers reported a significant reduction in burden. The themes derived from the qualitative analysis addressed the normalization of the caregiving experience, importance of socialization, improvement in a variety of coping skills, and education about the injuries. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support the adaptation of MFGT for brain and spinal cord injuries.

Impact of multiple-family groups for outpatients with schizophrenia on caregivers' distress and resources.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of multiple-family group treatment on distress and psychosocial resources among family caregivers of persons with schizophrenia. METHODS: A total of 97 consumers with schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder and their caregivers were randomly assigned to receive multiple-family group treatment (N=53) or standard psychiatric outpatient care (N=44). Reliable and valid measures were used to assess caregivers' distress, caregivers' resources, and consumers' clinical status. RESULTS: After consumers' clinical status and baseline rates of caregivers' distress and caregivers' resources were controlled for, the caregivers of consumers who received multiple-family group treatment experienced greater reductions in distress but no increases in resources compared with caregivers of consumers who received standard psychiatric care. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple-family group treatment reduced caregivers' distress but did not increase caregivers' resources relative to standard psychiatric care.