Confirmation of Candidature - Telehealth Family Psychoeducation for Enhancing Treatment Outcomes Among Individuals With Major Depressive Disorder

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common mental illness characterised by a significant reduction in psychosocial functioning and quality of life due to substantial changes in emotion, cognitive abilities, and physical wellbeing. This study explores the feasibility of telehealth family psychoeducation for enhancing treatment outcomes in individuals with MDD, who have been prescribed an antidepressant medication (ADM) (Supportive Program for Advancing Recovery, Knowledge, and Empowerment in Depression, SPARKED). Specifically, SPARKED consists of three biweekly family psychoeducation (FPE) sessions delivered to MDD patients and family members either via videoconferencing or telephone per participant's choice and a 6-week follow-up. The research will adopt the updated Medical Research Council (MRC) framework for developing and evaluating complex interventions. First, the research will develop a workable intervention guide by integrating systematic review findings with data gathered from semi-structured interviews with MDD patients and families, and surveys among health professionals, thus ensuring the involvement of key stakeholders in research intervention development. Subsequently, by adopting a person-centred approach and single-family format, the feasibility assessment of SPARKED will be conducted. The primary outcomes of the feasibility study relate to the feasibility and acceptability of SPARKED. Secondary outcomes of interest include the preliminary impact of SPARKED on satisfaction with ADM for treating MDD, ADM necessity beliefs and concerns, ADM adherence, depression severity, and personal recovery determined as pre-post differences and at follow-up (6-week post-intervention). By gaining insights into the feasibility of SPARKED, this research will aid in refining the intervention for a future large-scale randomised trial in the evaluation phase of the research intervention.

For more information, please email the Graduate Research School or phone 0746 311088.