Group Cognitive Behavioural Family Intervention (CBFI) for People With Schizophrenia and Their Families

Effectiveness of Group Cognitive Behavioural Family Intervention (CBFI) for People With Schizophrenia and Their Families: A Mixed-method Study

Cognitive behavioural family intervention (CBFI) is a brief psychosocial intervention that incorporates the model of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) into the family context. It builds upon the current trend of family interventions/psychoeducation with refocusing on the cognitive model within the family interpersonal relationship. Existing literature indicates that CBFI may be effective in improving positive and negative symptoms of people diagnosed with schizophrenia immediately following the programme. This mixed-method is to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a CBFI programme for people with schizophrenia and their families in a local context. The findings may accumulate more evidence that CBFI is a brief and effective psychosocial intervention that is adapted to Hong Kong clinical settings.

Inclusion Criteria:

Service users

• Diagnosis of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, based on clinical judgement by the treating clinicians
• Aged 18-65
• Able to communicate in Cantonese

Family caregivers

• Aged above 18
• Living with service users
• Able to communicate in Cantonese
• Nominated by the service users

Exclusion Criteria:

Service users

• Having co-morbidity of learning disability
• Organic/neurological conditions
• Substance misuse disorder

Family caregivers

• Having active psychiatric conditions
• Looking after more than one family member suffering from chronic physical or mental illnesses