Family metacognitive training for mothers with psychosis and their adolescent children

Introduction and Objectives:

More than half of women with psychosis have children under their care. In many instances these women take care of their children in spite of the difficulties generated by their illness and by the communication of these problems with their relatives. 

The objective of this study is to adapt and evaluate the efficacy of Family Metacognitive Training (FMCT) in mothers and children in a group setting with the primary aim of improving the family relationship, cognitive awareness and symptoms of women with psychosis and their children’s knowledge of the illness. As secondary objectives, we aim to evaluate the improvement in metacognition and social cognition, symptoms, protective factors and self-perception of stigma.

Methodology:

A randomized clinical trial will be conducted in which one group of mothers with psychosis and their adolescent children (aged 12-18 years) will receive the online Family Metacognitive Training and another group will receive treatment as usual. A total of 48 mothers and their children will be recruited from a total of 11 adult mental health care centers. Mothers will be assessed on scales of cognitive awareness, other metacognitive and social cognition scales, symptoms, family and social functioning, protective factors (self-esteem, resilience and coping strategies) and self-perceived stigma. Adolescent children will be assessed on scales of symptoms, metacognition and social cognition, family and social functioning, knowledge of the mother’s illness and protective factors. They will be assessed at three points in time: baseline, post-therapy and at 6-months follow-up. The evaluators will be blind to the intervention received.