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Communication Targets and Applications for Family Members of People With Early Psychosis and Substance Use

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: AIM: Poor family communication can worsen early psychosis and substance use outcomes. While families find communication skills valuable, which components to offer in resource-limited settings remain unclear. This study identified communication strengths/areas of improvement, conversations families wanted to practise, and their communication happiness with their relative versus people generally. METHOD: Family members (N = 36) of relatives with early psychosis and substance use participated in communication coaching. Strengths/areas of improvement and role-play content were rated from session recordings and progress notes. Self-report items assessed communication happiness. RESULTS: Participants aimed to improve being brief (44%), specific and clear (39%) and offering help (36%). Role-plays focused on independence (44.1%), substance use (29.4%) and mental health treatment (17.6%). Participants reported greater communication happiness with others than with their relative (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Families wanted to improve communication, brevity, clarity and effectively offer help, particularly to foster independence with their relative with early psychosis and substance use.

Source: Early Intervention in Psychiatry

DOI: 10.1111/eip.70077

Authors: Patrick Y. Kelly, Max H. Cook, Julie M. McCarthy

Institutions: McLean Hospital, Harvard University

Language: English

Topic: Family Caregiving in Mental Illness

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,060