School of Rehabilitation, University of Montreal, Québec, Canada.
Health Innovation and Evaluation Hub, University of Montreal's Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM), Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Early Interv Psychiatry. 2019 Feb;13(1):24-29. doi: 10.1111/eip.12440. Epub 2017 May 19.
The purpose of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding on the subject of relapse from the perspectives of family members of young people receiving services for a first-episode psychosis (FEP).
A qualitative descriptive approach, using focus group methods, was used to elicit experiences, understandings, and knowledge of relapse in FEP. Family members were recruited from 4 specialized early intervention programmes for psychosis in Canada. A total of 24 (6 male, 18 female) family members participated in the study. Thematic analysis was used to examine the data.
The core underlying theme in all focus groups was worrying about relapse, which was often accompanied by significant levels of fear and anxiety, and was influenced by: (1) impact of an episode of psychosis; (2) limited confidence in recognizing and coping with relapse; (3) unmet needs for coping skills and emotional support and (4) unmet needs regarding frequency and continuity of communication with clinicians.
Family members' unmet needs for relapse-focused education, support and communication with service providers and peers, can have a negative impact on relapse prevention. Addressing family members' education and support needs in a tailored manner (including preferences for types of peer support) can contribute positively to their confidence and ability to recognize and respond to relapse. This can help reduce fear and anxieties about relapse, and positively influence the ability to function as caregivers. Future research should focus on best approaches for providing education, sustained contact with the clinical team and family peer support.
本研究旨在深入了解年轻人首发精神病（FEP）患者家属对复发的看法。
采用焦点小组方法，使用定性描述方法，从 FEP 中获取复发的经验、理解和知识。从加拿大 4 个专门的精神病早期干预计划中招募了家属。共有 24 名（6 名男性，18 名女性）家属参与了这项研究。采用主题分析方法对数据进行了检验。
所有焦点小组的核心主题都是担心复发，这通常伴随着严重的恐惧和焦虑，受到以下因素的影响：（1）精神病发作的影响；（2）对识别和应对复发的信心有限；（3）应对技能和情感支持的需求未得到满足；（4）与临床医生沟通的频率和连续性的需求未得到满足。
家属在复发相关教育、与服务提供者和同伴的支持和沟通方面的需求未得到满足，可能会对复发预防产生负面影响。以个性化的方式满足家属的教育和支持需求（包括对同伴支持类型的偏好），可以提高他们识别和应对复发的信心和能力。这有助于减少对复发的恐惧和焦虑，并积极影响他们作为照顾者的能力。未来的研究应侧重于提供教育、与临床团队保持持续联系和家庭同伴支持的最佳方法。
