Family processes and duration of untreated psychosis among US Latinos

• Published in: Early intervention in psychiatry Vol. 13; no. 6; pp. 1389 - 1395
• Main Authors: Hernandez, Mercedes, Hernandez, Maria Y., Lopez, Daisy, Barrio, Concepción, Gamez, Diana, López, Steven R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melbourne Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd 01-12-2019; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Caregivers; Caregivers - psychology; duration of untreated psychosis; Families & family life; family caregivers; Family Relations - psychology; Female; first‐episode psychosis; Health behavior; Hispanic Americans; Hispanic Americans - psychology; Humans; Latinos; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Acceptance of Health Care - psychology; Personal relationships; Psychosis; Psychotic Disorders - diagnosis; Qualitative research; Time Factors; United States; Young Adult; United States; United States > US; duration of untreated psychosis; family caregivers; Latinos; first-episode psychosis
• ISSN: 1751-7885; 1751-7893
• DOI: 10.1111/eip.12779

Aim
Little is known about family processes and treatment seeking among Latinos with first‐episode psychosis (FEP) living in the United States. This study examined family processes prior to treatment and their relation to duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) among Latinos with FEP and their family caregivers.
Methods
Thirty‐three Latinos with FEP and their low‐acculturated family caregivers (n = 33) participated in qualitative semi‐structured interviews focused on treatment‐seeking experience and family relationships. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis and themes were grouped based on short (n = 18) or long (n = 15) DUP.
Results
Findings revealed differences based on DUP length. Patients with short DUP had stronger family relationships characterized by open communication and disclosure of symptoms that facilitated awareness and direct action by family caregivers. However, patients with long DUP had more troubled family relationships that often challenged early treatment seeking.
Conclusions
Findings highlight the relevance of family context in the provision of early treatment for Latinos with FEP. Family‐based services are needed that increase awareness of symptoms and provide families with support that can facilitate ongoing patient treatment during this critical period.