This study is to identify culturally relevant treatment methods and to assess the effects of family psychoeducational intervention for Korean Americans who had a family member with mental illness. 48 Korean Americans with children with mental illness were randomly assigned to either an experimental group program that provided culturally sensitive psychoeducation or a control group that offered individual supportive therapy. The two groups were compared on pre- and posttreatment measures of understanding of mental illness, of family empowerment, and of coping skills. Compared with the control group, the psychoeducational group members significantly decreased stigma, improved empowerment during family crises, and increased coping skills. The findings suggest that a culturally relevant psychoeducational intervention is a useful short-term treatment modality for Korean Americans with children with mental illness and can be used by social work practitioners who work with Korean Americans in the field of mental health.
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