Evaluation of a psycho educative group intervention for family members of patients with severe personality disorder undertaken within a mental health centre in Forlì, Italy

Introduction Severe personality disorders have a significative impact not only on patients but also among their families, causing emotional distress and relevant burden related to care giving. Psycho-educational intervention targeting family members can improve their understanding of the disorder and their ability to cope with symptoms. Objectives Forlì Mental Health Centre multi-professional team undertake this study with the scope to evaluate the efficacy of a nine sessions’ psycho-educational program targeting a group of family members, based on the dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) principles and skills. Methods 12 participants completed the program and filled self report questionnaires administered at the first (t0) and ninth (t1) session: Symptom Checklist - 90 (SCL-90) and Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). They also answered a qualitative format investigating their subjective experience. Results Results at baseline (t0) indicate high scores on the SCL-90 subscales such as Somatisation (mean = 1,21; st. dev = 0,91), Depression (mean = 1,08; st. dev = 0,86), Sleep disturbances (mean = 1,39; st. dev = 1,03). Statistical analysis suggest an increase of SCL-90 subscales, at the end of the program (t1), such as Somatisation (mean = 1,38; st. dev = 0,85), Obsessions and compulsions (mean = 1,19; st. dev = 0,78), Depression (mean = 1,40; st. dev = 0,93), Paranoia (mean = 0,93; st. dev = 0,78), Sleep disturbances (mean = 2,18; st. dev = 1,03). ZBI questionnaire total scores indicate an increase of perceived caregiving burden(mean = 42; st. dev = 24,7). Qualitative indicators were administered at the end of the program showing a general satisfaction for the intervention described as “useful”, “important”, “helpful”, “comforting”. The most liked session was the one about “validation” skill. Conclusions Despite the perceived psychological distress and burden’ increase, participants have intended the psycho-educative program as useful and worth it. Results suggest that their learnings may be paired with complementary skills and their generalization to enable a significative reduction of psychological impact of caregiving. Future development will include a follow up session to explore this possibility. Disclosure of Interest None Declared