1. Objectifs

Intentions :
«The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that predict how well parents carrying out a role of support with a young adult adapt in the specific context of the onset of a FEP [first-episode psychosis]. It is intended to contribute to the conceptual reflection in this area of intervention and research by focusing on the development of empowerment and on the social functioning of the parents.» (p. 489-490)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
«This study was conducted in cooperation with a clinic specialized in treating psychotic illness in the early stages affiliated with the Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Québec. […] Parents and stepparents of young adults who had taken part in the first two phases of family intervention offered at this clinic, that is, who had attended at least the first two meetings in the multifamily group, were recruited. […] The final sample was made up of 58 parents or stepparents […].» (p. 490)

Instruments :
Questionnaire

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

According to the authors, «[f]or these parents and those whose children received intensive services within the community, the caregiver experience presented greater challenges and may be perceived more negatively. As the results obtained in this study also showed that the negative aspects of the experience were related to lower adaptation by the parents, interventions based on beliefs, perceptions and the meaning given to the caregiver experience would be possible areas to look into to help the parents identify the positive and even negative aspects of this situation. […] This study indicated that the effects of ‘active’ coping strategies especially predict empowerment. The family intervention programme offered by social workers stresses the importance of collaboration, especially during the first two phases of intervention, as well as promotes a more therapeutic partnership.» (p. 495) «From a clinical point of view, the use of a construct for the notion of support experience allows for the identification of hopeful intervention targets for the parents and the young people experiencing a FEP, particularly by reinforcing the positive aspects in the parent–child relationship, closeness and the presence of common interests, for example. The results obtained on the scale of caregiving experience (ECI) also contribute to revealing to the parents aspects of themselves, strengths and abilities they didn’t know or didn’t think they possessed.» (p. 496)