| Research Abstract |
The structure of a relative's group for the day care patient at the private psychiatric hospital consists of a psychoeducational component and a structured family approach, with an emphasis on cognitive-behavioral techniques. The relatives' groups last for 2 hours and are typically run about once by 2 months. We have obtained the following knowledge by the present.
1. It is necessary to introduce into the relatives' group to a relative who hesitates to attend it after improving the trust relationship between the relative and the hospital staff by taking advantage of any direct contact. There was a limit in the encouragement of the attendance by sending the letter reminding them of each meeting. When the patient is unstable and is reluctant to take medicine, the relatives tend to demand our support. However, in case of that there is at the beginning of the illness, and that the symptom is comparatively stable, most families are not likely to understand that schizophrenia is a chronic disease. So, it is difficult for the family to attend the group.
2. To improve the coping skills of the family, it is important to narrow down to the concrete problem and to solve it. The problem should be specified and broken into small, achievable bits, and the mechanics of any solutions should be discussed with the group in detail. For this purpose, first, we should help members to feel relaxd and to speak frankly. The atmosphere of the group must be friendly and positive while also allowing serious issues to be tackled and problem solved. Second, a simple rule, for example, the expression of the negative feelings is normal and acceptable, should be explained. Third, we should facilitate the group members' interaction in order to allow relatives to pool solutions to problems and help each other to try out new ways of coping with common difficulties.
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