Outline and evaluate family therapy as used in the
treatment of schizophrenia. (16 marks)
Family Therapy is a range of interventions aimed at the family
(e.g. parents, siblings, partners) of someone with schizophrenia.
It should also involve the patient with schizophrenia, if practical.
It aims to improve the quality of communication and interaction
between family members, reduce the stress of living as a family,
lessen the burden of caring for the relative with schizophrenia,
and therefore reduce rehospitalisation. It is commonly used in
conjunction with drug therapy and outpatient clinical care, and
lasts between 3-12 months with sessions every 2-4 weeks.
During sessions, the individual with schizophrenia is encouraged
to talk to their family and explain what sort of support they do
and do not find helpful. Family therapy makes use of a number
of strategies to improve the relationships and functioning of a
family with a member suffering from the psychosis, such as
improving the family’s knowledge, beliefs about and behaviour
towards schizophrenia, and maintaining reasonable expectations
among family members for patient performance. Pharoah et al.
(2010) suggest that these strategies reduce stress and expressed
emotion, whilst increasing the chances of patients complying with
medication. This tends to result in a reduced likelihood of relapse
and readmission to hospital.
Pharoah et al. (2010) reviewed evidence for the effectiveness of
family therapy (compared to antipsychotics alone) and found that
there was a reduction in the risk of relapse and in hospital
readmission during treatment and in the 24 months after. Also,
the studies reported an increased compliance with medication,
however family therapy did not seem to have much of an effect
on more concrete outcomes such as living independently or
employment. This evidence suggests that although family therapy
is effective in terms of significantly reducing stress, lowering the
likelihood of relapse and helping patients cope better with their
schizophrenia (therefore improving their quality of life), the
findings are inconsistent. Patients are still unable to function
independently and provide for themselves through employment,
treatment of schizophrenia. (16 marks)
Family Therapy is a range of interventions aimed at the family
(e.g. parents, siblings, partners) of someone with schizophrenia.
It should also involve the patient with schizophrenia, if practical.
It aims to improve the quality of communication and interaction
between family members, reduce the stress of living as a family,
lessen the burden of caring for the relative with schizophrenia,
and therefore reduce rehospitalisation. It is commonly used in
conjunction with drug therapy and outpatient clinical care, and
lasts between 3-12 months with sessions every 2-4 weeks.
During sessions, the individual with schizophrenia is encouraged
to talk to their family and explain what sort of support they do
and do not find helpful. Family therapy makes use of a number
of strategies to improve the relationships and functioning of a
family with a member suffering from the psychosis, such as
improving the family’s knowledge, beliefs about and behaviour
towards schizophrenia, and maintaining reasonable expectations
among family members for patient performance. Pharoah et al.
(2010) suggest that these strategies reduce stress and expressed
emotion, whilst increasing the chances of patients complying with
medication. This tends to result in a reduced likelihood of relapse
and readmission to hospital.
Pharoah et al. (2010) reviewed evidence for the effectiveness of
family therapy (compared to antipsychotics alone) and found that
there was a reduction in the risk of relapse and in hospital
readmission during treatment and in the 24 months after. Also,
the studies reported an increased compliance with medication,
however family therapy did not seem to have much of an effect
on more concrete outcomes such as living independently or
employment. This evidence suggests that although family therapy
is effective in terms of significantly reducing stress, lowering the
likelihood of relapse and helping patients cope better with their
schizophrenia (therefore improving their quality of life), the
findings are inconsistent. Patients are still unable to function
independently and provide for themselves through employment,
