A Systematic Review Exploring the Relationship Between Family Factors
and Symptom Severity, Relapse and Social or Occupational Functioning in
First Episode Psychosis
Abstract
Aims: Research on family functioning in psychosis has typically
focused on specific family-related factors and their impact on
symptomatology, finding strong associations between high expressed
emotion and poor outcomes, especially in those with long-term illness.
The objective of this review is to examine the impact of a broad range
of family-related factors and their relationship with clinical, social,
occupational, and relational outcomes in first-episode psychosis (FEP).
Method: A systematic search of databases PsycInfo, Pubmed,
Embase and CINHAL between 1990 and August 2023 was completed. In total,
1408 articles were screened, and study quality was assessed using the
JBI Critical Appraisal Checklists for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies
and Cohort Studies. A narrative synthesis approach was used to analyse
the data. Results: Of the 1408 identified articles, 80
full-text articles were screened. Fifteen studies were included for data
extraction. The objectives and scope of the selected studies varied
considerably. Studies consisted of cross-sectional and prospective
cohort designs. Participants consisted of FEP patients and family
members, with the patient age range varying from 15.9 to 30.8 (MD=24.5).
Significant associations were identified between family factors (high
EE, family environment and carer burden) and symptom and social
outcomes. Discussion: While findings emphasised the significant
impact of family factors on symptomatic and social outcomes, the
literature had significant limitations due to the absence of underlying
theoretical models and understanding of the dynamics of distress in
families within FEP. Future research should seek to develop a model
accounting for such processes.