Family psychoeducation to prevent relapse/recurrent in the maintenance treatment of major depression: a randomized controlled trial

INTERVENTION: Family psychoeducation in addition to treatment as usual Treatment as usual only CONDITION: Major depression PRIMARY OUTCOME: Relapse/recurrence of a major depressive episode INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Diagnosed as suffering from major depressive disorder according to the DSM‐IV 2. Expected to be on continuation/maintenance antidepressant therapy for at least nine months after the patients had responded to acute phase antidepressant therapy and were in partial or full remission, i.e. they no longer fulfilled the diagnostic threshold for major depressive episode 3. Not having undergone electroconvulsive therapy or not having electroconvulsive therapy already planned for the index episode 4. Living with the family for 3 months or longer before participating in this study and being expected to live with the family during the investigation period 5. Having at least one family member living with the patient who was available for family interviews.