Effectiveness of mutual support and psychoeducation group interventions for family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia

1. A client-led mutual support group for Chinese family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia is more effective and less costly to improve psychosocial functioning of families and patients’ functioning than family psychoeducation group and standard care, over a 1-year follow-up. 2. Mutual support can effectively improve family care of Chinese patients with schizophrenia in Hong Kong without increasing demands for mental health services. 3. Further study is needed to assess the cost-effectiveness of family mutual support groups in diverse settings and psychiatric patient groups, whilst examining different family and patient outcomes.