The effect of psycho-education on depression, anxiety and stress in family caregivers of patients with mental disorders

Brief family interventions may have a positive impact on family caregivers of mental disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of family psycho-education on depression, anxiety and stress in family caregivers of patients with mental disorders. This randomized controlled trial designed and evaluated the effectiveness of a group psycho-educational program on 100 caregivers of mental disorders attending in Noor hospital in Isfahan. The caregiver’s depression, anxiety and stress level was assessed using the DASS scale. The participants followed up for a period of three months. Depression, anxiety and stress level decreased significantly in the psycho-educational group. The mean score of the DASS scale in the intervention group was significantly reduced compared to the control group. Our findings confirmed that group intervention program for reducing depression, anxiety and stress levels in Iranian population was effective and may potentially improve the quality of life of both patients and caregivers.