Psychosocial interventions: Indian perspective

Abstract

This chapter delves into the meaning, role and evidence of psychosocial interventions from an Indian perspective. The term psychosocial intervention is an all encompassing one that refers to wide array of techniques, which can be cognitive, behavioural or social and are utilised to change patient outcomes. The differences from other related and similar terms are explored. The salient aspects of psychosocial interventions pertaining to the Indian circumstances in terms of role of the family, education level, unique social norms and limitation of structured social services are discussed. The chapter takes a critical look at the research on psychosocial interventions in psychiatric disorders and psychological ailments available from India. Such research has been conducted for the patients themselves, their caregivers and family members or at-risk population; has been conducted in outpatient, inpatient, community and school settings; has involved counselling services, educative services, environmental manipulations, and other interventions; and has studied outcomes in quantitative and qualitative domains. The narrative accounts and expert opinion on psychosocial interventions are explored and their observations and directions are highlighted. However, still, a paucity of culture of systematic service research for psychosocial intervention is observed and conducting well designed systematic controlled trials in the area is the need of the hour.