Family Involvement in the Clinical Care of Clients With First-Episode Psychosis in the RAISE Connection Program

OBJECTIVE: This study described how families were involved in the RAISE Connection Program for clients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) and examined factors that predicted family involvement. METHODS: Presence of family members at clinical visits for 65 clients with FEP was described. Multiple regressions were conducted to determine whether demographic characteristics, clinical factors, or client-provider discussions regarding family predicted family involvement during the first six months of the program. RESULTS: Most participants (95%) had at least one family member attend a clinical visit during program involvement. Age of the client with FEP, psychiatric symptoms, and substance use predicted the number of days family members attended visits during the first six months of program participation; client-provider discussions about family did not. CONCLUSIONS: Family involvement in the ongoing care of clients with FEP is common when efforts are made to engage clients with FEP and their families.