Families of Chronic Psychiatric Patients: A Systematic Review

This study aims to investigate the studies conducted with the families of chronic psychiatric patients in Turkey and determine the characteristics and scope of future studies. In order to map out the recent studies conducted with the families of psychiatric patients in Turkey national and international databases were reviewed and eventually 26 studies were found to be suitable for inclusion. Of 26 studies reviewed, 7 studies were experimental and 19 studies were designed as descriptive in which certain reference points were defined such as mental health conditions of the family, family burden, quality of life, functionality, expressed emotions and their needs for education. On the other hand, the experimental studies mostly focused on the effects of various psychoeducation intervention programs particularly designed for care givers on patients and families. It was concluded that there is an obvious insufficiency in the number studies and researches on defining stress management levels and burdens of the families of chronic psychiatric patients as well as intervention programs specially designed for such families. Particularly designed invervention programs and studies are warranted.