Operative group therapy with family members of psychiatric patients

Abstract

The evaluation of the aspects involved in the functionality of the family group, in activity developed by the multi-disciplinary team in the context of a internament unit of a Public Psychiatric Hospital, constitutes the object of the study of this investigation, that was subsidized by the theoretical axis proposed by Enrique Pichon-Rivière’s Theory, and by the systemic of the impact on the family group, the ascertainment of the meaning of this for its participants and the meaning of its contribution towards the demystification of mental diseases and towards the process of release from hospitals. The study supports itself on the descriptive method and explores qualitatives aspects. Structured and semi-structured interviews were accomplished with relatives of patients with mental problems. The data were submitted to content analysis, and the pertinent results demonstrate the importance of that intervention for the participants. Its viability is highlighted, manifested through the meanings that are attributed to the family group: relief from tencions, understanding of the disease. The results also point to the improvement in the relationship and in the handling besides the changes as attitudes and in the conceptions, that refer to mental disease. Keywords: Family group therapy. Operative groups. Multi-professionals psychiatry team.