Burden as the bridge to resiliency in mental illness: Effectiveness of the Strengthening Families Together family education intervention.

Strengthening Families Together 2005 (SFT) is a Canadian education program for family members affected by mental illness and addiction. This study explores and describes the effectiveness of SFT for burden and resilience among family participants. This research used a single case study with multiple unit method to assess the effectiveness of SFT based on the trauma theory of stress, coping and adaptation. I have combined quantitative and qualitative methodology to explore the effects of SFT and to describe the predicted decrease in burden and increase in resiliency ...Following the criteria for the pattern-matching analysis used in the SFT study, the results must be supported by both the quantitative and qualitative findings to be tenable. Both quantitative and qualitative results suggest SFT was effective at reducing burden. Although, the qualitative data suggests a possible increase in resilience, this result was not supported by the quantitative results suggesting SFT may be less effective at increasing resiliency among family participants in this study. In conclusion, the researcher recommended changes to SFT are based on a sound theoretical foundation to include the broader goal of increased resiliency among family participants and SFT leaders receive standardized teacher training. At the time of writing the researcher had made changes to the SFT curriculum based on a review of the current literature and the research findings and had developed a SFT teacher training model that was scheduled to roll out throughout BC and the Yukon in the winter of 2010. --P.ii-iii.