The Effects of Modified Family Psychoeducation on the Relative's Quality of Life and Family Burden in Patients with Bipolar Type I Disorder

Bipolar type I disorder is one of the common disorders in psychiatry. Relatives of such patients like other organic or mental diseases may encounter with major burden as well as decreasing of their quality of lives. In some cases, depression or anxiety may occur. Family psychoeducation programs should be conduct for relatives of patients with bipolar I disorder. These programs may decrease family burden and improve the quality of life.

This was a clinical trial done among relatives of patients with bipolar type I disorder. Family burden questionnaire and quality of life questionnaire used for one of the key relatives at beginning of study, 3 months and 6 months later. Demographic data (age, gender, relation, and number of hours who they are together) was collected also. 48 patients with bipolar type I disorder were enrolled in this study. They randomly divided into 2 groups with 24 members. Family psychoeducation program were conducted among first group and second group without any intervention were followed as control group.

There was no significant difference between tow groups in mean score of family burden at all 3 episodes of study; but mean score of quality of life was significantly higher in control group 6 months after intervention.

Psychoeducational intervention is an effective factor in patient’s relatives, quality of life. This intervention could help to improve mental health among relatives of psychiatric patients.