Titre de l’article | Group interventions for patients with psychotic symptoms and their family |
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Code d’article | P17 |
Auteurs | |
Forme de présentation | Poster |
Domaines thématiques |
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Résumé (Abstract) |
Introduction Early detection and intervention in patients at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis (CHR-P) have shown its efficacy in reducing their risk of transition and in improving functional outcome. The Adolescent Psychotic Risk Assessment Unit (ERA Unit, CHUV) was created to respond to this mission for adolescents aged 12 to 17 in the canton of Vaud. Within the framework of the different interventions proposed by ERA, we have launched two psychoeducational/therapeutic groups, one for teenagers and one for their relatives (parents and siblings). Our groups’ goal is to provide knowledge on psychotic symptoms and to promote communication within the family. Both groups are theoretically based on MBT (Mentalization-Based Treatment). In this approach, “mentalization” refers to the ability to understand our own and others' behaviors in terms of underlying mental states (thoughts, beliefs, intentions, and emotions). Literature suggests that improved mentalizing capacities can be a protective factor in psychopathology. Methods Groups were implemented as a pilot project. We organized 1 teenagers’ and 3 relatives’ groups. Participants were given pre- and post- intervention questionnaires. - Patients' group: Teenagers participate to 6 group sessions and 2 individual sessions (pre- and post- intervention). We assessed their satisfaction, mentalization abilities (ETMCQ, MentS), emotional regulation skills (RFQ, ERS, CERQ), empathy (BES) and self-esteem (RSE). - Relatives' group: Participants joined 5 group sessions and 1 individual session at the end of the group. Participants filled questionnaires about their satisfaction, feeling of loneliness (ESSE), mentalization abilities (ETMCQ, MentS), emotional regulation (ERS, CERQ) and parental skills (PRFQ). Results - Patients’ group: Preliminary results show that adolescents joined the group with the will to share their experience and to feel less alone. The group experience gave them greater insight of their functioning. - Relatives’ group: Participants report a better understanding of psychotic symptoms, less subjective experience of loneliness and a better knowledge of resources for their child and the family. Conclusion & perspectives Results show that this activity is well-accepted by the participants and that combining a classical psychoeducational intervention with MBT is a promising strategy. With these preliminary data, we will soon launch a study to evaluate quantitatively the effectiveness of these groups. |