Multiple-family group treatment for English- and Vietnamese-speaking families living with schizophrenia

Objective: This study, which was the first evaluation in Australia of multiple-family group treatment, explored the effectiveness of this approach for a newly arrived non-English speaking migrant group, first-generation Vietnamese families, and for English-speaking families. Methods: Thirty-four pairs of English-speaking consumers and family members and 25 Vietnamese-speaking pairs were randomly assigned to a multiple-family group or a control group. All consumers had a diagnosis of schizophrenia. The multiple-family group intervention (26 sessions over 12 months) was delivered as an adjunct to case management services, which all consumers received. Outcomes, which were measured immediately after treatment and 18 months later, included the number of relapse episodes; the presence and severity of symptoms, as measured by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms; and social functioning, as measured by the Family Burden Scale, the Health of the Nation Outcome Scale, and the Quality of Life Scale. Results: Relapse rates immediately after treatment were significantly lower for the multiple-family group than for the control group (12 and 36 percent), and relapse rates were also lower during the follow-up period (25 and 63 percent). BPRS ratings were significantly lower for participants in the multiple-family group, and vocational outcomes also improved. The reductions in relapse and symptoms were similar for the English-speaking and the Vietnamese-speaking family groups; sample size precluded statistical analysis of differences. Conclusions: Multiple-family group treatment is an effective cognitive-behavioral intervention in the treatment of schizophrenia. The findings suggest continued application of and research on family interventions for non-English speaking migrant populations.