FORMATIVE EVALUATION OF A PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR FAMILIES OF THE SEVERELY MENTALLY ILL

Abstract

With deinstitutionalization, there is a growing concern to meet the needs of the families of mental patients. The Psychoeducational model of family treatment has demonstrated its effectiveness in meeting these needs. This study is an attempt to evaluate a new psychoeducational program for families of first admission patients suffering from a severe mental illness. Specifically, the study seeks to determine the extent to which the families’ needs for information, support and problem solving were met. The various factors that facilitated ad hindered the successful adoption of this Western based model were identified to enable the improvement of the implementation of the program, and hence ensure more positive outcomes for the families. Cultural barriers to the applicability of the group modality were also examined. The new psychoeducational program was successful in meeting the needs of the families. Generally, the provision of information was useful in reducing the level of anxiety, stress and disabling guilt experienced by the participants. Misconceptions regarding mental illness were also corrected. The information also fostered confidence and assurance in the caregivers and this had resulted in some becoming more involved in planning treatment for their relatives. Families also demonstrated a more sympathetic attitude towards their relative. The need for support by the families were also met. The experience to meet other families were positive. Families also benefitted from the discussion of problems within the group. The findings also indicated that the success in implementing the new program depended very much on the ability of the worker to form a partnership with the families, through the process of building rapport and trust and establishing her credibility. Other factors such as the worker’s cultural competency, motivation and attitudes towards the program were also crucial. The competing demands and role ambiguity experienced by the workers hindered them from doing more for the program. Besides the problems of self-disclosure and the lack of participation and exchange faced in group setting. Generally, the group modality was useful for works with Asian families. ln summary, the positive feedback reported by the families as a result of participating in the program and the fact that the program could be effectively implemented by a Medical Social Worker, should warrant its adoption by the hospital as part of her comprehensive effort to meet the needs of families of the mentally ill.