BACKGROUND: Depression and anxiety are the most common mental disorders seen and managed in primary care. Both mental disorders have been increasingly prevalent worldwide. Filipinos are known for being family-centered and the family has been consistently a good ally in healthcare. A family- focused intervention is believed to be a good adjunct in the reduction of symptom severity of depression and anxiety.
Objective: This study aims to systematically analyze the effectiveness of family-focused interventions among patients with depression and anxiety.

METHODS: Studies were obtained from electronic search for literature (PubMed, Cochrane, HERDIN). Additional cross-referencing was done from the reference lists of included studies. Two independent reviewers assessed the methodological quality of included trials.

RESULTS: Two studies met the selection criteria and were included for meta-analysis. There was a total of 224 participants who were all clinically diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Compared with the standard care for depression and anxiety, family-focused intervention was found to be more effective (SMD=-1.20, z=6.92, p=0.001, 95% CI=-1.54 to -0.86). There was also no substantial heterogeneity (I2=13.80%) seen among the included studies (Q=1.16, p=0.281; ?2=0.01).

CONCLUSION: Family-focused intervention was shown to be effective in reducing the symptom severity of depression and anxiety.

RECOMMENDATION: The authors recommend future researchers to use more studies, both published and unpublished, on the utilization of family-focused interventions in the management of depression and anxiety. Applicability of the results in the Asian region, especially in the Philippines, should be explored. This review also suggests the option to provide different family-focused intervention techniques as an adjunct in the management of depression and anxiety in primary care.