[Psychoeducation and quality of life: an amplification of the evaluation study in Graz (Part 2). A comparison of psychoeducation with psychotic and depressive patients].

BACKGROUND: This study aimed at comparing psychoeducation (PE) on depressive and psychotic patients, describe differences and identify variables fostering patients' satisfaction with PE.
METHODS: 75 patients (49 depressive and 26 psychotic patients) participated in nine PE-group sessions and observer as well as self-rating scales were completed before and after PE.
RESULTS: Depressive patients were able to improve their mental health quality and reduce their general psychic pressure in a greater extent than psychotic patients. Both samples improved their illness-related knowledge at the same amount. In general both samples were highly satisfied with PE but still depressive patients were still more satisfied. Using regression and discrimination analyses further differentiating variables could be found.
CONCLUSIONS: Psychotic patients are an inhomogeneous sample and adaption of the PE contents is required. Depressive patients show more enhancement than psychotic patients. Nevertheless both samples benefit from PE. Compared to depressive patients psychotic patients experienced better subjective life quality but less objective life quality. The results underline the relevance of PE in an inpatient psychiatric setting. Individual preliminary information adjusted to the patients' sample is essential.