Family Intervention in Severe Mental Disorder: An Online Intervention Format in Psychosocial Rehabilitation Centers

J Psychosoc Rehabil Ment Health. 2023;10(2):233-245. doi: 10.1007/s40737-022-00310-7. Epub 2022 Oct 6.

Abstract

The use of new technologies and online interventions with family members of people affected by severe mental disorders (SMD) seems to emerge as a promising complementary strategy to face-to-face care. The article presents a new online intervention format, aimed at relatives of people with SMD. A qualitative methodology sequenced in seven phases has been used. (1) The incorporation of relatives into the programme has allowed the intervention format to be adapted to the needs and opinions of the relatives themselves. (2) All the relatives were completely satisfied with the new online intervention format, and with how useful it had been for them. (1) The attention and support to family members of people with SMD through the Internet is a complementary intervention strategy to face-to-face care. (2) The online format of attention to family members can be incorporated into the usual practice of care services.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40737-022-00310-7.

Keywords: Family intervention; New technologies; Psychosocial rehabilitation; Severe mental disorder.