An Exploration of Content in Multifamily Psychoeducation Groups: The Impact of Consumer Choice in a Flexible Curriculum

Abstract

The recovery movement in mental health and social work has inspired changes in the conceptualization of mental health services, and there has been a call for increasing consumer focus in family education interventions for populations coping with mental illness. However, providers have concerns that family-driven content may not include information believed critical to effective treatment. This study examines the impact of consumer preference in a multifamily psychoeducation intervention. Participant families (N = 123) tested Psychoeducation Responsive to Families (PERF), in which groups (N = 12) specified curriculum topics and rank order uniquely. The results were compared to existing clinician-generated content in a SAMHSA toolkit on psychoeducation: topics tended to recur across multiple groups and eight of the most frequently chosen had substantial overlap with the SAMHSA toolkit. Findings suggest that allowing consumers greater freedom in meeting their educational needs will not lead to exclusion of material viewed as necessary by professionals.

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