The effectiveness of a psycho education programme for individuals suffering from dual diagnosis

Abstract

This research report discusses the findings of a qualitative study conducted with individuals suffering from dual diagnosis hospitalised at Sterkfontein Hospital. The study was motivated by the need to improve the level of insight in these individuals in the perception that this would improve their prognosis and reduce service utilisation. The aim was to explore the participants’ perceptions of a group psycho education programme to establish factors that they perceived as effective in meeting their needs and improving insight. This study used an investigative methodology, incorporating purposive sampling, and priori coding to interpret and analyse the data. The themes that emerged were, “Motivation to Attend the Programme”, and “How did the Groups Help Me to Change?”, and concluded that the participants experienced the programme as beneficial. The factors that they perceived as significant were identified to assist in the establishment of an effective group psycho education programme for individuals suffering from dual diagnosis, and in bridging the reported gap between the psychiatric and substance abuse treatment approaches.