Brief needs-based psychoeducation for sibling family caregivers of persons with schizophrenia: A qualitative assessment from southern India

Context

There is a gap in the literature that qualitatively explores the effects of psychoeducation on siblings who serve as caregivers for persons with schizophrenia. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the qualitative effects of brief need-based psychoeducation on sibling family caregivers of persons with schizophrenia from southern India.

Methods

Ten sibling family caregivers of persons with schizophrenia were recruited for the study, with five in each group receiving either brief need-based psychoeducation or standard care. The participants were interviewed and their responses were recorded. Qualitative data analysis was performed using a combination of thematic and summative content analysis.

Results

The study found that both the intervention and standard care groups of sibling family caregivers of persons with schizophrenia reported similar themes. However, the frequency and prominence of the themes were greater among those in the intervention group, as shown by the summative content analysis. The thematic analysis revealed four major themes: 1) personal experiences with the treatment process, including reduced stigma, active caregiving involvement, bonding, reduced criticality, and coping; 2) improved understanding and management of illness; 3) service satisfaction, and 4) indirect effects on symptomatic and functional recovery.

Conclusion

Brief need-based psychoeducation was found to be more beneficial for sibling family caregivers of persons with schizophrenia, as evidenced by the greater prominence of themes in the intervention group. This study adds to the limited literature on psychoeducation for sibling family caregivers of persons with schizophrenia. Further studies utilizing rigorous qualitative methods are needed to explore the full scope of the intervention's effects.