Family Intervention Components — MRCPsych Paper B MCQ
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Correct answer: A — A supportive, educational or treatment function with negotiated problem-solving or crisis-management work
Explanation lettering: B = shown as A · D = shown as B · E = shown as D · A = shown as E
B is correct. NICE specifies that family intervention should have a defined supportive, educational or treatment function and include negotiated problem-solving or crisis-management work. It should usually include the person with psychosis where practical and consider the family's preferred format and relationships. Medication education alone is insufficient because negotiated work is required. Option C describes elements more characteristic of individual CBT for psychosis. NICE does not define family intervention as psychodynamic analysis or non-directive exploration, so D is incorrect. Excluding relatives, as in E, is inconsistent with an intervention involving the family, although the service user's consent, confidentiality and practical circumstances must be respected.
Reference: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Psychosis and schizophrenia in adults: prevention and management (CG178), recommendation 1.3.7.2, 2014; last reviewed 2025. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg178/chapter/recommendations