The Effectiveness of Family-Centered Therapy on the Psychological Capital of Caregivers of Schizophrenic Patients

Caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia play a crucial role in providing support and assistance to their loved ones who are grappling with the challenges of schizophrenia. These caregivers often shoulder important responsibilities such as medication management, providing emotional support, and assisting with daily tasks. However, caregiving for individuals with schizophrenia can also be challenging and stressful, leading to emotional distress. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of family-centered therapy (FCT) on the psychological capital of caregivers of schizophrenic patients.

Methods and Materials: 

This study employed a semi-experimental design with pretest-posttest control group and three-month follow-up. The study population consisted of caregivers of schizophrenic patients attending Imam Hossein Hospital. Thirty caregivers were selected using convenience sampling and were then systematically assigned to either the experimental or control group. Two participants in the experimental group withdrew during the intervention sessions, resulting in a reduction in the experimental group to 13 participants. The experimental group underwent twelve 60-minute sessions of FCT intervention once a week. Data were collected using the Luthans Psychological Capital Questionnaire (2007) and analyzed using mixed analysis of variance.

The mean psychological capital of caregivers who received family-centered therapy intervention showed improvement compared to the control group at posttest and follow-up stages (p<0. 001).

Consequently, this study demonstrates the significant positive impact of family-centered therapy on the psychological capital of caregivers of schizophrenic patients. The findings highlight the effectiveness of this therapeutic approach in enhancing the well-being and resilience of caregivers in coping with the challenges of schizophrenia caregiving. These results underscore the importance of incorporating family-centered interventions in comprehensive caregiving and support provided to caregivers, ultimately enhancing their psychological well-being and capacity to cope with caregiving demands.