Empowering the caregivers of persons with schizophrenia – A psychosocial approach

Abstract

Background: Caregivers are generally the main support system for people with schizophrenia in India. Materials and Methods: The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of psychosocial intervention (PSI) of knowledge about schizophrenia among the caregivers of persons with schizophrenia (PWS). Eighty caregivers of PWS were categorized into two groups: one group received routine care and the other group received additional PSI. The PSI program consisted of ten sessions with separate methodology and techniques. The Knowledge about Schizophrenia Interview, Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview 6.0, and sociodemographic interview schedule were used. Results: There was a significant change in pre- and postscores of the intervention group (PSI) on caregivers' knowledge (t = ‒16.64; P = 0.000) about schizophrenia. Conclusion: Study results indicate that caregivers in the experimental group (PSI) were having better knowledge about the illness than those in the control group (treatment as usual). PSI intervention was found to be effective in increasing caregivers' scientific knowledge on the illness.