Burden in Schizophrenia Caregivers: Impact of Family Psychoeducation and Awareness of Patient Suicidality

This study investigated predictors of family burden in schizophrenia caregivers & tested to what degree multiple family group treatment, relative to a standard care condition, was associated with reduced family burden. The best set of predictors of burden was young patient age, awareness of patient’s suicidal ideation, & family resources. Findings suggest that caregiver’s awareness of patient’s suicidal ideation, not patient’s report of suicidal ideation, & patient age were significant independent predictors of burden. (47 refs)