The effect of psychoeducation focused communication skills on subjective well-being of the caregivers of individual with the diagnosis of schizophrenia

This study was conducted in a randomized, two intervention and one control group, pre-test, post-test and follow-up experimental design in order to evaluate the effect of Communication Skills Focused Psychoeducation Program (CSFPP) on the Subjective Well-Being Level of Individuals Diagnosed with Schizophrenia. The population of the study consisted of 279 family members caring for individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia according to DSM-5 TR criteria who applied to a university hospital psychiatry outpatient clinic between January 2021 and December 2021. The sample was determined by power analysis(n:72).The sample was randomized and divided into (CSFPP) group (n=24), GPP group (n=24), and no intervention group (n=24) for control purposes. Data were collected using the "Personal Information Form", "Zarit Caregiving Burden Scale", "Communication Skills Scale (CSS)", "Subjective Well-Being Scale (SWS)" and "Participant Group Experience Form". In the analysis, number, percentage, mean±standard deviation, median (min-max) values were given for descriptive data. Comparisons of descriptive data in the groups were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance for normally distributed variables, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis analysis for non-normally distributed variables and Pearson Chi-square analysis for categorical variables. Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman Tests were used to examine the change in scale scores within and between groups and over time. The qualitative data obtained for the experiences after CSFPP were revealed by "content analysis". In the findings, a statistically significant difference was found between the pre-intervention SWS mean score of the CSFPP participants and their scores at the post-intervention and follow-up stages (p<0.05). In intergroup comparisons, although the mean scores of the SWS of the CSFPP participants were statistically significantly (p<0.05) higher after the intervention compared to the GPP participants, no significant difference was found in the follow-up stages (p>0.05). The mean scores of the SWS of the CSFPP participants were significantly higher after the intervention and in the second follow-up phase compared to the control group participants (p<0.05), but no significant difference was found in the first follow-up phase. As a result, it was observed that the caregivers who participated in CSFPP had positive effects on their subjective well-being and these effects continued afterwards. After the intervention, it was determined that the self-reports of the CSFPP participants and their awareness of themselves and their communication with their environment, their social interactions increased and their self-confidence improved. It is recommended to conduct replication studies with a similar group of caregivers in order to further demonstrate the effectiveness of CSFPP. It would be beneficial to extend the CSFPP in all rehabilitation stages to increase the subjective well-being in caregivers.