Abstract
Objectives: To clarify the effects of a peer-education program for non-member families on the organizational development of familial groups with mental disorders.
Methods: A cross-sectional mail survey was conducted on 59 family groups that had implemented the Omotenashi – Family Experiences Learning Program before March 2012. The independent variables were the overall number of program implementations and the number of program implementations among non-member family groups. The dependent variables were objective and subjective measures of organizational development. We used regression analysis for statistical testing.
Results: Of the 56 family groups that responded, 42 had implemented the program for non-member families. Of all 793 program participants, 300 (37.8%) were non-member families, of which 155 (51.7%) joined the groups after participating in the program. If family groups employ a larger number of program implementations for non-member families, the number of new members will increase with participation, as will the overall number of members and number of younger ones.
Conclusion: The family-peer education program could contribute to the organizational development of family groups.
