Training families to better manage schizophrenics' behaviour.

The influential role of family in the outcome of chronic schizophrenia is well documented. Because families have become the primary caretakers, this study was designed to train parents of chronic schizophrenics to better manage their offspring. The sample comprised 40 parents whose offspring were admitted to a psychiatric ward from April to June 1996. A self-developed index (Patient Management Skills) was used to measure changes in the parents' expertise in handling their children before and after a 1-month training programme. After training, more parents had the necessary skills to manage the verbal and nonverbal behaviours of their children. Our results bear out the importance of the family's supportive role in producing a better outcome for schizophrenic patients.