The Effects of a Mindfulness-Based Family Psychoeducation Intervention for the Caregivers of Young Adults with First-Episode Psychosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Zoe Jiwen Zhang, Herman Hay Ming Lo (), Siu Man Ng, Winnie W. S. Mak, Samuel Yeung Shan Wong, Karen S. Y. Hung, Cola Siu Lin Lo, Jessica Oi Yin Wong, Simon S. Y. Lui, Edmund Lin, Clara Man Wah Siu, Eric Wai Ching Yan, Sunny Ho Wan Chan, Annie Yip, Man Fai Poon, Gloria Oi Chi Wong, Jonathan Wai Hung Mak, Hillman Shiu Wah Tam, Iris Huen Hung Tse and Bobby Fook Hin Leung
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Zoe Jiwen Zhang: Department of Applied Social Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Herman Hay Ming Lo: Department of Applied Social Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Siu Man Ng: The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Winnie W. S. Mak: Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Samuel Yeung Shan Wong: Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Karen S. Y. Hung: Castle Peak Hospital, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong
Cola Siu Lin Lo: Castle Peak Hospital, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong
Jessica Oi Yin Wong: Castle Peak Hospital, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong
Simon S. Y. Lui: The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Edmund Lin: Castle Peak Hospital, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong
Clara Man Wah Siu: Kowloon Hospital, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong
Eric Wai Ching Yan: Kowloon Hospital, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong
Sunny Ho Wan Chan: University of West England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
Annie Yip: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Man Fai Poon: Baptist Oi Kwan Social Sciences, Hong Kong
Gloria Oi Chi Wong: Lingnan University, Hong Kong
Jonathan Wai Hung Mak: Hong Kong Family Welfare Society, Hong Kong
Hillman Shiu Wah Tam: Department of Applied Social Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Iris Huen Hung Tse: Hong Kong Family Welfare Society, Hong Kong
Bobby Fook Hin Leung: Department of Applied Social Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 2, 1-17

Abstract: Objective: In this study, we investigated the effects of a mindfulness-based family psychoeducation (MBFPE) program on the mental-health outcomes of both caregivers and young adults with first-episode psychosis with an onset in the past three years through a multi-site randomized controlled trial. We also studied the outcomes of three potential mediating effects of interpersonal mindfulness, expressed emotions, and non-attachment on the program. Method: We randomly assigned 65 caregivers of young adults with psychosis to MBFPE ( n = 33) or an ordinary family psychoeducation (FPE) program ( n = 32); among them, 18 young adults in recovery also participated in the evaluation of outcomes. Results: Intent-to-treat analyses were conducted. No significant time × group interaction effects of MBFPE and FPE programs were found in any of the caregivers’ outcomes. However, the young adults with psychosis reported higher levels of recovery after the MBFPE program than after the ordinary FPE program ( F = 8.268, p = 0.012, d = 1.484). They also reported a larger reduction in over-involvement of their caregivers ( F = 4.846, p = 0.044, d = 1.136), showing that MBFPE had a superior effect to FPE in promoting recovery and reducing over-involvement. Conclusions: A brief psychoeducation program may not reduce the burden on or improve the mental-health outcome of caregivers of individuals with recent-onset psychosis. However, integrating mindfulness into a conventional family psychoeducation program may reduce the expressed emotions of caregivers, especially over-involvement. Further studies should explore how psychoeducation programs can reduce the impact of psychosis on family through sustainable effects in terms of reducing their burden and expressed emotions, using a rigorous study and adequate sample size.

Keywords: mindfulness-based intervention; family psychoeducation; caregivers; first-episode psychosis; randomized controlled trial (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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