Psychoeducation for Relatives of Young Adults with First-Episode Psychosis: A Qualitative Exploration of Needs and Experiences

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Although psychoeducation for relatives of individuals with a first episode psychosis is important for increasing understanding of psychosis, reducing relapse rates, decreasing hospitalization duration, and improving patient functionality, there is limited re...

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Main Authors: S. A. Kuipers, C. A. Elzinga-Hut, B. S. Rosema, S. Sanches, D. Boertien, B. Stavenuiter, S. K. Spoelstra, G. H. M. Pijnenborg, N. Boonstra
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Nursing Reports
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/6/197
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author S. A. Kuipers
C. A. Elzinga-Hut
B. S. Rosema
S. Sanches
D. Boertien
B. Stavenuiter
S. K. Spoelstra
G. H. M. Pijnenborg
N. Boonstra
author_facet S. A. Kuipers
C. A. Elzinga-Hut
B. S. Rosema
S. Sanches
D. Boertien
B. Stavenuiter
S. K. Spoelstra
G. H. M. Pijnenborg
N. Boonstra
author_sort S. A. Kuipers
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives:</b> Although psychoeducation for relatives of individuals with a first episode psychosis is important for increasing understanding of psychosis, reducing relapse rates, decreasing hospitalization duration, and improving patient functionality, there is limited research on the specific experiences and needs of relatives of patients with a first episode psychosis. This study aims to explore the experiences and needs of relatives of young adults with first-episode psychosis regarding psychoeducation, with the goal of developing tailored psychoeducation (PE) that can be delivered by nurses. <b>Methods:</b> This qualitative study employed a descriptive, interpretative approach with a total sample of 23 participants, including semi-structured interviews (N = 16), two dyadic interviews (N = 4) and one triadic interview (N = 3). The dyadic interviews included two relatives and two patients, while the triadic interview involved two relatives and one patient. A topic list was utilized to guide the interviews. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data, supported by the use of ATLAS.ti. <b>Results:</b> During data analysis, five key themes were identified as relevant for the development of a psychoeducational program: experiences with first-episode psychosis and psychoeducation, the content of PE (what), timing (when), exchanging experiences (how) and joint PE versus separate groups (which format). <b>Conclusions</b>: This study highlights valuable insights and key components for an integrated psychoeducation program, focussing on the needs and experiences of relatives, for the development of the PE program. To optimize the benefits for both parties, future research should explore the potential of offering PE sessions that accommodate both individual and combined participant formats, allowing for a design tailored to the specific needs of the participants.
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spelling doaj-art-509d3f168d294feba75ab174fa5229f52025-08-20T02:21:49ZengMDPI AGNursing Reports2039-439X2039-44032025-06-0115619710.3390/nursrep15060197Psychoeducation for Relatives of Young Adults with First-Episode Psychosis: A Qualitative Exploration of Needs and ExperiencesS. A. Kuipers0C. A. Elzinga-Hut1B. S. Rosema2S. Sanches3D. Boertien4B. Stavenuiter5S. K. Spoelstra6G. H. M. Pijnenborg7N. Boonstra8Research Group Healthcare & Innovation in Psychiatry, Department of Healthcare, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, Rengerslaan 8-10, 8900 CG Leeuwarden, The NetherlandsResearch Group Healthcare & Innovation in Psychiatry, Department of Healthcare, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, Rengerslaan 8-10, 8900 CG Leeuwarden, The NetherlandsResearch Group Healthcare & Innovation in Psychiatry, Department of Healthcare, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, Rengerslaan 8-10, 8900 CG Leeuwarden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Learning, Innovating and Co-creating (LIC), Avans University of Applied Sciences, Hogeschoollaan 1, 4818 CR Breda, The NetherlandsPhrenos Center of Expertise, Da Costakade 45, 3521 VS Utrecht, The NetherlandsRelatives Association Ypsilon, Regulusweg 5, 2516 AC Den Haag, The NetherlandsResearch Group Healthcare & Innovation in Psychiatry, Department of Healthcare, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, Rengerslaan 8-10, 8900 CG Leeuwarden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Experimental Psychopathology and Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Grote Kruisstraat 2/1, 9712 TS Groningen, The NetherlandsResearch Group Healthcare & Innovation in Psychiatry, Department of Healthcare, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, Rengerslaan 8-10, 8900 CG Leeuwarden, The Netherlands<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Although psychoeducation for relatives of individuals with a first episode psychosis is important for increasing understanding of psychosis, reducing relapse rates, decreasing hospitalization duration, and improving patient functionality, there is limited research on the specific experiences and needs of relatives of patients with a first episode psychosis. This study aims to explore the experiences and needs of relatives of young adults with first-episode psychosis regarding psychoeducation, with the goal of developing tailored psychoeducation (PE) that can be delivered by nurses. <b>Methods:</b> This qualitative study employed a descriptive, interpretative approach with a total sample of 23 participants, including semi-structured interviews (N = 16), two dyadic interviews (N = 4) and one triadic interview (N = 3). The dyadic interviews included two relatives and two patients, while the triadic interview involved two relatives and one patient. A topic list was utilized to guide the interviews. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data, supported by the use of ATLAS.ti. <b>Results:</b> During data analysis, five key themes were identified as relevant for the development of a psychoeducational program: experiences with first-episode psychosis and psychoeducation, the content of PE (what), timing (when), exchanging experiences (how) and joint PE versus separate groups (which format). <b>Conclusions</b>: This study highlights valuable insights and key components for an integrated psychoeducation program, focussing on the needs and experiences of relatives, for the development of the PE program. To optimize the benefits for both parties, future research should explore the potential of offering PE sessions that accommodate both individual and combined participant formats, allowing for a design tailored to the specific needs of the participants.https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/6/197nursingfirst episode psychosispsychoeducationfamily-interventionsrelatives
spellingShingle S. A. Kuipers
C. A. Elzinga-Hut
B. S. Rosema
S. Sanches
D. Boertien
B. Stavenuiter
S. K. Spoelstra
G. H. M. Pijnenborg
N. Boonstra
Psychoeducation for Relatives of Young Adults with First-Episode Psychosis: A Qualitative Exploration of Needs and Experiences
Nursing Reports
nursing
first episode psychosis
psychoeducation
family-interventions
relatives
title Psychoeducation for Relatives of Young Adults with First-Episode Psychosis: A Qualitative Exploration of Needs and Experiences
title_full Psychoeducation for Relatives of Young Adults with First-Episode Psychosis: A Qualitative Exploration of Needs and Experiences
title_fullStr Psychoeducation for Relatives of Young Adults with First-Episode Psychosis: A Qualitative Exploration of Needs and Experiences
title_full_unstemmed Psychoeducation for Relatives of Young Adults with First-Episode Psychosis: A Qualitative Exploration of Needs and Experiences
title_short Psychoeducation for Relatives of Young Adults with First-Episode Psychosis: A Qualitative Exploration of Needs and Experiences
title_sort psychoeducation for relatives of young adults with first episode psychosis a qualitative exploration of needs and experiences
topic nursing
first episode psychosis
psychoeducation
family-interventions
relatives
url https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/6/197
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