Fundamentals of Mental Health

Fundamentals of Mental Health

Effectiveness of family-based interventions on family members of OCD patients to decrease symptoms in patients and improve the adjustment and resilience of family members - A Clinical Randomized Trial

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Neda Alibeigi 1
Seyed Ali Hoseini Sogh 2
Robabeh Mazinani 2
Alireza Zibaei 3
Mojtaba Rostamzadeh 4
1 Psychosis Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Psychiatry Department, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3 Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Addiction Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
4 Razi Educationl and therapeutic Psychiatric Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
10.22038/jfmh.2025.89671.3265
Abstract
Introduction: Family-based interventions are increasingly used, but their simultaneous effect on patient symptoms and family-member-specific psychological outcomes is not fully established. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a family-based intervention on reducing OCD symptoms in patients and increasing psychological adjustment and resilience in their family members.
Methods: This randomized clinical trial (RCT) (Ethics code: IR.USWR.REC.1397.086) included 40 families of patients with OCD, recruited from three psychiatric centers in Tehran, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n=20) or a control group (n=20). The intervention group received 12 weekly sessions of a family-based psychoeducational program in addition to standard medication. The control group received medication only. Patients were assessed using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). Family members were assessed using the Bell's Adjustment Inventory (BAI) and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) at pre-test, post-test (12 weeks), and 3-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA.
Results: The repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a significant times × group interaction effect. The intervention group showed a significant reduction in patient OCD symptoms on the Y-BOCS (F(1,38)=246.49, P<0.001) and a significant improvement in family member adjustment on the BAI and resilience on the CD-RISC (P<0.05) at post-test and follow-up, compared to the control group.
Conclusion: Family-based psychoeducational interventions, when added to pharmacotherapy, are an effective strategy for not only reducing patient symptomatology but also for improving the psychological well-being of the family unit.
Keywords
family-based intervention
adjustment
resilience obsessive-compulsive disorder
Subjects
Fundamentals of Mental Health

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 21 May 2026