Indications of Resilience Among Family Members of People Admitted to a Psychiatric Facility

Family members (n = 111) of patients admitted to a large psychiatric hospital completed inventories designed to measure family adaptation, appraisal, stressors, and resources. Total score means were compared to means for the general population. Significant differences were reported on a limited number of subscales measuring family adaptation, coping and appraisal, and resources. However, a greater number of similarities were noted. These similarities suggest that family members of patients admitted to a psychiatric hospital resemble the general population in many regards and should therefore be considered as a resource in the care and rehabilitation of patients. Our ability to utilize family members as a resource in the care and rehabilitation of patients with mental illness will be beneficial to patient outcomes.