Publication year
2015
Citation Title
Multifamily group treatment for veterans with mood disorders: A pilot study
Journal Name
Couple and Family Psychology
Journal Volume
4
Issue Number
3
Page Numbers
136-149
DOI
10.1037/cfp0000040
Summary
The presence of a mood disorder can negatively impact family relationships. This study investigated a psychoeducational intervention for Veterans diagnosed with a mood disorder and their families. Results indicated that Veterans and family members who participated in the intervention had more knowledge and a better understanding of mood disorders as well as increased coping skills by the end of the study.
Key Findings
Symptoms of Veterans’ mood disorders decreased over the course of the intervention.
Veterans and their families experienced increases in family coping strategies, communication, and effective problem-solving during the course of the study.
Family members reported more knowledge and better understanding of Veterans’ mood disorders at the end of the intervention.
Implications for Program Leaders
Offer workshops to enhance positive family communication strategies, particularly for families in which an individual has been diagnosed with a mood disorder
Develop classes to disseminate information regarding mood disorders and how they may influence relationships
Create support groups for Service members with mood disorders and their families to increase social support
Implications for Policy Makers
Encourage professionals to include families in services for Service members with mood disorders
Continue to promote the development of programs that provide support and education for families of Service members with mood disorders
Recommend collaboration among professionals who work with military family members and those who work with Service members to enable coordinated support for the family as a whole
Methods
Participants were recruited from the Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center to participate in a nine-month, three-phase multi-family group intervention.
Surveys with questions about coping behaviors, life satisfaction, communication, relationship satisfaction, and mental health symptoms were completed by Veterans and family members at four points during the program: before starting the program and after each phase of the intervention.
Data were analyzed by comparing responses over time to determine whether the intervention was effective.
Participants
There were 101 Veteran participants who had a primary diagnosis of major depression (73%) or bipolar disorder (27%).
Most Veterans were men (82%) and White (89%) with an average age of 51 years old (SD = 1.21years).
Most of the 93 Veterans’ family members who participated were women (83%) and White (82%) with an average age of 49 years old (SD = 1.45 years).
Limitations
There was no control group receiving treatment as usual, so it is unclear if the results are due to receiving treatment generally or if they are specific to including Veterans’ families in treatment.
All participants were recruited from one VA center, so results may not be generalizable to other geographic locations or to individuals receiving treatment outside of the VA.
Participants were primarily middle-aged; results may not extend to younger populations.
Avenues for Future Research
Examine whether the gains from such an intervention are maintained after the intervention ends
Include a control group of individuals receiving treatment as usual to determine whether outcomes are specific to this type of intervention
Investigate the efficacy of non-clinical education (e.g., classroom education) for family members of Service members with mood disorders
Focus
Multiple Branches
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Branch
Military Component
Abstract
Mood disorders affect large numbers of individuals and their families, the ripple effects on relationship functioning can be great. Researchers have advocated for a relational perspective to mood disorder treatment, and several promising treatments have been developed. However, few rigorous evaluations have been conducted within the Veterans Affairs (VA) system. Multifamily group therapy, an evidence-based practice for people living with schizophrenia, has recently been adapted for other psychological disorders with promising results. This report describes the first published evaluation of this treatment modality in the VA system for veterans living with mood disorders. Male Veterans (n 101, 74 with major depression and 27 with bipolar disorder) and their family members participated in REACH (Reaching out to Educate and Assist Caring, Healthy Families), a 9-month, manualized, multifamily group treatment intervention adapted from McFarlane’s original multifamily group model. Participants completed self-report questionnaires at 4 time points across the course of the treatment, and service utilization data for veterans were obtained from VA databases. Both veterans and family members showed improvements in their knowledge about mood disorders, understanding of positive strategies for dealing with situations commonly confronted in mood disorders, and family coping strategies. Veterans also evidenced improvement in family communication and problem-solving behaviors, empowerment, perceived social support, psychiatric symptoms, and overall quality of life. The REACH intervention holds promise as a feasible, acceptable, and effective treatment for veterans living with mood disorders and their families. Further study is warranted.
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