Effect of Virtual Social Network-Based Psychoeducation Intervention on Level of Hope and Caregiving Burden among Family Caregivers of Patients with Schizophrenia

Background: Family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia often experience high levels of burden and stress due to the demanding nature of their role. Virtual social network-based psychoeducation can help promote hope and reduce the burden among family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. Objective: Determine the effect of virtual social network-based psychoeducation intervention on the level of hope and caregiving burden among family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. Settings: The study was carried out at the outpatient clinic of El-Maamoura Hospital for Psychiatric Medicine which is affiliated with the Ministry of Health and Population, Egypt. Subjects: A convenient sample of 41 caregivers was included in the previously mentioned setting. Tools: Four tools were used to collect data in this study. Tool one: “Patients with Schizophrenia and Family Caregivers Socio-Demographic and Clinical Data Structured Interview Schedule". Tool two: “The Adult Hope Scale (AHS)". Tool three: “Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI)". Tool four: “Knowledge and Skills of Caregiving Scale (KSCS)". Results: The study showed that there was a significant difference regarding the caregivers’ hope domains (agency, pathways) at pre, post, and one month after intervention P (<0.001*). Furthermore, the study groups exhibited significant differences between caregiver’s burden subscales at pre, post, and one month after intervention P (<0.001*). Also, there was a significant difference between the caregiver’s levels of knowledge and skills at pre, post, and one month after intervention P (<0.001*). Conclusion: Applying a virtual social network-based psychoeducation intervention had a significant effect on increasing the level of hope and alleviating the caregiving burden among family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. Recommendations: Virtual social network-based psychoeducation intervention is recommended in clinical practice guidelines for caregivers of patients with schizophrenia.