Relationship of family involvement and functioning among mentally ill adults

The purposes of the present study were to find a relationship between family/caregiver involvement in treatment of mentally ill adults that they care for and clients\u27 overall Axis IV and V assessments. Support and education groups were held at Family Service in New Jersey over a six-month period. The population (n=12) came from the Hattie Tallie program at Family Service. These clients and their family members/social supports and caregivers attended meetings for six months to gain education and to support each other in dealing with clients\u27 treatment. Global Assessment of Functioning scores (Axis V) and Severity of stressors (Axis IV) were taken before these groups began and again at the completion of the six months. Correlation analysis revealed an overall maintenance of these scores throughout the six months. Research on family involvement and education for caregivers was discussed