FAMILY EDUCATION AND SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT OF PSYCHIATRIC CLIENTS

Efficacy of psycho-educational programme in promotion of social and family functioning among Iranian psychiatric clients is the theme of this study. One hundred and seventy schizophrenics with 174 clients with mood disorders were included in the present study and adopting Solomon’s experimental design they were assigned into four groups: 2 experimental and 2 control groups for each illness category. Key family members from experimental groups participated in a weekly educational programme for a duration of six months. Batteries of tests were used to ascertain family s skills in management of client s verbal and non verbal behaviours. Baseline data with those after intervention, i.e., 6 and 18 months were compared, using SPSS programme and running statistical tests such as t-test and ANOVA. Comparing the experimental and control groups, more attitudinal, cognitive and behavioural changes among families followed by more desirable role performance ability by the clients in experimental groups were observed. Results indicated that family education can bring about desirable changes in the family dynamics and better outcome of psychiatric disorders. Psychiatric social workers can use psycho-educational programme in imparting necessary skills for effective management of verbal and non verbal behaviours of psychiatric patients in the family.