ArticleInternational journal of mental health systems2021
A mixed methods exploration of the role of multi-family groups in community treatment of patients with depression and anxiety in Pakistan.
Article in International journal of mental health systems, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers.
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Who cites it
9 citing papers in PubMed, 18 citations in OpenAlex.
- Delivering low-intensity psychological interventions in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-ethnographic synthesis of lay health workers' experiences.Global mental health (Cambridge, England) · 2026Review
- Article
- Involving young people with lived experience in advancing mental health science: an exploratory qualitative study from Pakistan and India.BMC psychiatry · 2025Article
- Family Psycho-Social Involvement Intervention for severe mental illness in Uganda.The South African journal of psychiatry : SAJP : the journal of the Society of Psychiatrists of South Africa · 2024Article
- Improving mental ill-health with psycho-social group interventions in South Asia-A scoping review using a realist lens.PLOS global public health · 2023Article
- Integrating maternal depression care at primary private clinics in low-income settings in Pakistan: A secondary analysis.Frontiers in global women's health · 2023Article
- Article
- Common patient experiences across three resource-oriented interventions for severe mental illness: a qualitative study in low-resource settings.BMC psychiatry · 2022Article
- Implementing psychosocial interventions within low and middle-income countries to improve community-based care for people with psychosis-A situation analysis.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2022Article
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Authors and funding
6 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundAn open, non-controlled trial was conducted to explore the feasibility, experiences and outcomes of multi-family groups in community mental health care of patients with depression and anxiety.
methodsThe study was conducted in community settings within the catchment area of a free of cost primary care center in Karachi, Pakistan. 30 patients with symptoms of depression and anxiety, their caregivers and 3 lay counsellors were recruited enrolled in the study between May-September 2019. Patients were enrolled for monthly multi-family group meetings conducted over 6 months in groups of 5-6 patients and 1-2 nominated caregivers each. Meetings were facilitated by the non-specialist trained counsellors. The primary outcome was quality of life (assessed using Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life) and secondary outcomes were symptoms of depression and anxiety (assessed on Aga Khan University Depression and Anxiety Scale), social outcomes (Social Outcome Index), and caregiver burden (Burden Assessment Scale). Change in all measures was assessed pre and 6-month post intervention using t-test. In-depth interviews were conducted with 7 patients, 7 caregivers and the 3 lay counsellors.
resultsA total of 36 family intervention meetings were conducted with six groups with a total of 30 patients, 34 caregivers and 3 counsellors. Between baseline and the end of the intervention, subjective quality of life increased significantly from 3.34 to 4.58 (p < 0.001, 95% CI 0.93-1.54). Self-reported depression and anxiety scores reduced from 34.7 to 19.5 (p < 0.001, 95% CI 10.8-19.8) and the Social Outcome Index improved from 3.63 to 4.52 (p < 0.001, 95% CI 0.39-1.39). There was no change in family burden. Participants reported that the group meetings were seen as a safe space for shared learning, and that the experience helped improve self-regulation of emotions and behaviors and instilled a sense of belonging.
conclusionMulti-family groups in community treatment of common mental health disorders facilitated by non-specialist mental health service providers is feasible, experienced positively and has the potential for large and positive effects on subjective quality of life, self-reported depression and anxiety, and objective social outcomes.
trial registrationISRCTN, ISRCTN12299326. Registered 05 June 2019. Retrospectively registered, https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN12299326 .
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