This line of work indicates that the most efficacious
interventions comprised skills training and
supportive educational components such as
psychosocial coping skills, family involvement and symptom management.13 While there is a good evidence base for caregiving
interventions, most of the work has been conducted in Western settings.13, 14
The different
psychosocial interventions all have some overlapping paradigms; for example, psychoeducation is part of CBT.47 It may also reflect a similar approach to delivery, in that material is presented in a sequential and structured manner, with an emphasis on patients gaining personalised skills in the management of their illness.34 Finally, the different psychological approaches each have their own emphasis, but share the strategies shown in Box 2 — that is, key content related to the therapeutic alliance, education, enhancement of adherence, early identification of prodromes, awareness of illness triggers, the importance of
supportive relationships, and development of strategies such as relapse prevention plans and constructive coping skills.