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How Do Family Strengths‐Oriented Therapeutic Conversations ( FAM ‐ SOTC ) Advance Psychiatric Nursing Practice?
Author(s) -
Svavarsdottir Erla Kolbrun,
Gisladottir Margret
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of nursing scholarship
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.009
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1547-5069
pISSN - 1527-6546
DOI - 10.1111/jnu.12450
Subject(s) - intervention (counseling) , psychological intervention , conversation , medicine , family caregivers , psychology , psychiatry , family therapy , clinical psychology , nursing , communication
Purpose Family nursing interventions, focusing on therapeutic conversations, have been found to benefit primary caregivers dealing with chronic and acute illnesses. Less is known, however, about the benefit of these interventions for partner caregivers. The aims of this study were to develop and test the Family Strengths–Oriented Therapeutic Conversation ( FAM ‐ SOTC ) intervention for partner caregivers of young individuals with eating disorders ( ED s). Methods Eighteen partner caregivers of adolescents and young adults with ED participated in this quasi‐experimental study. The FAM ‐ SOTC intervention was offered over 4 months, during which time the focus was on establishing the therapeutic relationship and identification of the family relationships. The five key elements of the FAM ‐ SOTC intervention are (a) drawing forward illness stories; (b) asking therapeutic questions; (c) identifying strength, resiliency, and resources; (d) offering evidence‐based information and recommendations; and (e) strengthening helpful beliefs and challenging hindering beliefs. These elements provided the foundation for the study. Findings Significantly higher family support and illness beliefs were reported after five sessions of the FAM ‐ SOTC intervention and again after 3 follow‐up booster sessions. The FAM ‐ SOTC intervention demonstrated a positive benefit for participants. Clinical Relevance The FAM ‐ SOTC intervention was found to benefit families, both in the short and long term, in psychiatry settings. After having participated in five sessions of the FAM ‐ SOTC intervention and 3 booster sessions, partner caregivers of young individuals with ED experienced higher family support and reported better knowledge, more confidence, and more positive illness beliefs regarding the disorder.