THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL GROUP PROGRAM WITH INPATIENTS BEING TREATED FOR CHRONIC MENTAL ILLNESS

Abstract

The aim in this study was to measure the effectiveness of a psychoeducation program with inpatients who had chronic mental illness and a history of repeat hospitalization for this. A questionnaire was developed to evaluate the program content was completed by 46 patients before and after they took part in the program. The questionnaire assessed patients' management of the illness, medication effects and side effects, warning signs of relapse, and ways of developing an emergency plan. With the exception of 1 question, there was a significant difference in the number of patients who responded to the items of the questionnaire between the pre- and posttests. The results of the study showed that the patients were able to learn about complex material presented in a short but well-structured training program during a brief typical inpatient stay.