Effects of Psycho-educational Program on Knowledge and Attitude upon Schizophrenia of Schizophrenic Patients’ Caregivers
Puangsoi Worakul MEd*, Nuntika Thavichachart MD, MSc*, Peeraphon Lueboonthavatchai MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University
Background : Schizophrenia is mainly characterized by chronic psychotic symptoms such as delusions, hallu-
cinations, and negative symptoms such as social withdrawal. These symptoms cause behavior problems, i.e.
aggressive behavior, violence, or social isolation that affect the patients’ lives, and the health status and daily
routine of caregivers or family members. Psychological distress or burden of caregivers often results in poor
care provided to these patients. Most studies showed that high expressed emotion in the family leads to high
a relapse rate of schizophrenia. The psycho-educational program is aimed to provide education about this
disorder, help the caregivers to deal with the patients’ problems more effectively, reduce psychological dis-
tress of caregivers, and provide social support for caregivers.
Objective : Study the effects of psycho-educational program on knowledge and attitude of schizophrenia on
caregivers of schizophrenic patients.
Materials and Methods : The participants completed the one-day psycho-educational program run by a team of
psychiatrists in the Department of Psychiatry, Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. The psycho-educational
program was composed of didactic session on schizophrenia, group discussion, and communication skill
building. The participants were evaluated for the knowledge and attitude, before and after the program. The
mean scores of knowledge, attitude before and after the program were compared by using paired t-test.
Results : Ninety-one caregivers of schizophrenic patients participated into the present study. The results
showed that the mean scores of knowledge and attitude before the program were 6.06 (SD = 1.86) and 37.57
(SD = 6.46) and after the program were 6.91 (SD = 3.35), and 29.37 (SD = 15.79), respectively. The scores of
knowledge and attitude of caregivers, before and after the program were statistically different. The partici-
pants evaluated the program as an interesting and very useful program.
Conclusion : Psycho-educational program on schizophrenia increase the knowledge and shape the attitude of
caregivers. Therefore, interventions targeting caregivers of schizophrenic patients should result in the suc-
cessful treatment and rehabilitation of schizophrenic patients.
Keywords : Psychoeducation, Knowledge, Attitude, Schizophrenia, Caregivers
