As in the studies of clinical efficacy of some family psychoeducation and behavioral programs for schizophrenia, the mutual support group in this study was associated with positive effects on the duration and number of rehospitalizations and psychosocial functioning of patients with schizophrenia, but without a corresponding increase in the use of outpatient services. These findings are consistent with those of studies among patients with other mental illnesses (8,11), in which it was found that greater financial resources of families participating in family support groups, relative to routine care, may be due largely to shorter hospital stays and more appropriate use of services.