Toward a Definition of Psychoeducation

As illustrated by the debate about the validity and implications of the concept of negative symptoms (15), many years of research may be needed before a concept is fully defined. Bachnach (16) has reminded us that our entire conceptualization of mental illness and its treatment and rehabilitation needs further elaboration. Estroff (17), like Bachrach and Hatfield, has warned of the dangers of using concepts that may lack validity. Despite these reservations, I believe the definition of psychoeducation suggested here can help us clarify what we are doing with patients and their families. It is not intended to be the final word on the subject, but rather a stimulus to further development of the concepts of treatment, education, and rehabilitation as applied to psychiatric patients.