Communication Targets and Applications for Family Members of People With Early Psychosis and Substance Use

ABSTRACT Aim Poor family communication can worsen early psychosis and substance use outcomes. While families find communication skills valuable, which components to offer in resource‐limited settings remain unclear. This study identified communication strengths/areas of improvement, conversations families wanted to practise, and their communication happiness with their relative versus people generally. Method Family members ( N = 36) of relatives with early psychosis and substance use participated in communication coaching. Strengths/areas of improvement and role‐play content were rated from session recordings and progress notes. Self‐report items assessed communication happiness. Results Participants aimed to improve being brief (44%), specific and clear (39%) and offering help (36%). Role‐plays focused on independence (44.1%), substance use (29.4%) and mental health treatment (17.6%). Participants reported greater communication happiness with others than with their relative ( p < 0.05). Conclusion Families wanted to improve communication, brevity, clarity and effectively offer help, particularly to foster independence with their relative with early psychosis and substance use.