Effect of Psychoeducation on Mental illness Symptoms Recognition and Psychosocial Support among Relatives of Patients Admitted in Selected Psychiatric Hospitals in Southwest of Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Relatives of patients with mental illness play an important role in recognising symptoms, supporting treatment, and providing psychosocial care. This study assessed the effect of psychoeducation on recognition of mental illness symptoms, psychosocial support, and knowledge of treatment among relatives of patients admitted to selected psychiatric hospitals in Southwest Nigeria. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos State, and the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Ogun State. The calculated sample size was 171, comprising 109 participants in the experimental group and 62 in the control group; the reported analyses included 96 and 60 participants, respectively. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire with reliability coefficients of 0.82, 0.79, and 0.81 for symptom recognition, psychosocial support, and treatment knowledge. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23. Results: Post-intervention symptom-recognition scores were higher in the experimental group (4.50 ± 0.50) than in the control group (3.60 ± 0.49; t = 9.87, df = 154, p < 0.001). The change in psychosocial support strategies was small and not statistically significant (pre-intervention: 4.60 ± 0.62; post-intervention: 4.74 ± 0.60; t = 1.648, p = 0.103). Post-intervention treatment-knowledge scores were also higher in the experimental group (4.90 ± 0.27) than in the control group (3.40 ± 0.80; t = 13.76, df = 154, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Psychoeducation improved symptom recognition and treatment knowledge, but measurable changes in psychosocial support were limited.