STUDY PROTOCOL (2023)
Developing Our Program
Introduces our psychoeducation program, and how we are evaluating its impact on families.
PILOT STUDY (2026)
Program Launch
Explores the pilot launch of our program, feasibility, and its early impact on caregiving burden and family relationships.
QUALITATIVE STUDY (2026)
Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop
Eight family carers share their experiences of through supporting their loved one through early psychosis.
Principal Investigators
Dr. Melanie Robles
Katherine Shettell
Dr. Adam Abba-Aji
Research Assistants
Kristen Zentner
Roxoliana Tsisar
About our Study Protocol
Family carers of young adults aged 17-27 who had recent psychosis related hospital admissions at Alberta Hospital Edmonton were eligible to enroll. Nine evidence-based, expert-reviewed, and family peer-informed psychoeducational modules were delivered by video conferencing in 2-hour sessions over 9 weeks to family carers. The modules combined education about psychosis with LEAP© skills (Listen, Empathize, Agree, Partner) and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). The Family Burden Inventory Schedule (FBIS) are scheduled to be administered to family carers before the course, as well as after at 6 month, 1 year, and 2 year intervals.
Pilot Study Results
Results: The overall model of total burden did not reach statistical significance. Exploratory post-hoc comparisons indicated a significant total burden reduction from pre-intervention to 6-months (p = 0.032), with no other significant changes. The overall family interaction burden subscale model showed no significant effect of time. Exploratory post-hoc analyses indicated a decrease in family interaction burden from pre- to post-intervention (p = 0.026) and to 6- months (p = 0.032), with no other significant changes.
Conclusion: This pilot study provides preliminary and hypothesis-generating findings suggesting a co-produced, skills- and knowledge-based psychoeducational intervention may be associated with reductions in carer burden, particularly in the domain of family relations. Given the small sample size, further research with sufficient statistical power is warranted to evaluate the long-term impact and accessibility of the intervention and inform its integration into early psychosis care.
Qualitative Paper
Background: Considerable evidence exists to support family carers’ positive impact on the recovery of young adults with psychotic illness. Despite best practice documents that champion family inclusion, many family carers experience obstructions to their involvement in care. The current study aims to trace commonly occurring episodes in the stories of carers of young adults with psychosis to gain a deeper understanding of their narrative and identify points in their stories where intervention and system support were needed.
Conclusion: Family carers experience a tumultuous and traumatic journey through the mental health system as they grieve losses within their family, support their loved one’s recovery, and advocate for their loved one’s care. This study raises consciousness about the carers’ journey as they walk alongside a loved one with psychosis, calling on care teams to empathize with families, honour lived experience, prioritize carers as partners in care, and fortify carers with skills and education.
Research Goals
Primary Results
- Lessened family burden
- Improved young adult symptomatology and quality of life
- Decreased service utilization
Secondary Results
- Feasibility
- Integration into Health System
Nine Modules
Each week, expert facilitators deliver a different topic, focusing on building relationships with young adults with psychosis. Each module combines lived experience with up to date knowledge, skills, and information. Participant interaction and questions are highly encouraged.
| Topic | Content |
|---|---|
| Introduction | Program overview, including facilitator and participant introductions. |
| The Emotional Stages in the Family’s Journey | Describes the emotional stages that are experienced by family carers learning to support a young adult with psychosis. |
| What is Psychosis? | From a biopsychosocial perspective, describes symptomology, behaviours, and disability that can be present in individuals with psychotic disease. |
| LEAP Communication Technique Part 1 | Educates about anosognosia, the top predictor of noncompliance with treatment. The LEAP method (Listen, Empathize, Agree, Partner) is taught as a communication tool to build relationship. |
| LEAP Communication Technique Part 2 | Provides immersive roleplay activities to hone LEAP Communication communication tool and emphasize relationship building. |
| Psychosis and Addictions | Teaches about the coexistence of psychosis and addictions. |
| ACT for Carers Part 1 | Introduces Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) approach to value-based living for carers. |
| ACT for Carers Part 2 | Provides ACT activities and tools to maintain wellness while supporting a young adult with psychosis. |
| Program Closure and Debriefing | Reviews the education sessions and concludes with a story of family lived experience. |
Results- General Family Burden
Results- Family Interactions
