This pilot study tested the feasibility and receptivity of a family psychoeducation protocol for Chinese-American adult schizophrenic patients and their caregivers. Although family psychoeducation had been proven a robust intervention, little empirical evidence is available on minority groups in the United States. This ethnically sensitive treatment adapted to Chinese immigrants had a shorter 6-month treatment and involved both multifamily group for caregivers and single-family group for individual families. Twelve families were recruited, nine in the intervention group and three in the comparison group. Four waves of data were collected at baseline, 3-month, termination, and 3-month follow-up. Most changes in outcome measures at termination and follow-up for the intervention group compared to baseline and relative to the comparison group were in the expected direction. Patient symptomatology and quality of life, and caregiver knowledge of the illness, treatment and community resources, and social support improved significantly. The protocol was found to be well received by the participants. Various considerations in terms of format, structure and duration proved to serve its purpose. However, flexibility in carrying out the protocol in order to cater for the specific needs of the families and their circumstance was found to be of paramount importance.
