Family achievements in struggling with schizophrenia: life experiences in a qualitative content analysis study in Iran (original) (raw)
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A Qualitative Study About Schizophrenia Caregiver’s Experiences and Needs
Enhancing Capacity of Healthcare Scholars and professionals in Responding to the Global Health Issues
Caregivers in schizophrenia patients have a high burden of care so they are unable to care optimally and have an impact on the high relapse. The study aimed to explore the experiences and needs of caregivers in caring for patients. This was qualitative research used a phenomenology approach. Participants were 11 caregivers who directly cared for schizophrenic. Purposive sampling technique was applied. The data collection method used in-depth interviews. The results gained four themes: caring experiences, perceived burdens, used coping mechanisms and caregivers' needs in caring for patients. Caregivers' experiences in caring for patients often encountered problems including insufficient knowledge, financial and support that created physical, emotional/psychological, and social burdens. Adaptive and maladaptive coping mechanisms were used. Caregivers' needs in caring for their family members affected by schizophrenia including knowledge, support and health services. Caring and support from people around them will reduce the risk of disruption of well-being and can improve the welfare of patients with schizophrenia. It can be concluded that caregivers' needs were some knowledge on how to care for patients and their treatment, supports and health services.
International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 2021
Background: Relapse in People Living with Schizophrenia (PLS) has several reasons and recognizing these can increase the effectiveness of treatment interventions. Formal and informal caregivers are an informed source to reduce relapse in PLS. Aim: This study explores the caregivers’ perspective in Iran on the factors affecting relapse in PLS. Method: A total of 28 caregivers (16 formal caregivers and 12 informal caregivers) of PLS were enrolled in our qualitative study. A content analysis was conducted using individual and group, semi-structured in-depth interviews with informal and formal caregivers of PLS. This study was conducted in a hospital, three universities, and a non-governmental organization in Tehran, Iran. Results: The majority (69%) of the participants were females. About half of the informal caregivers were over 60 years old and about 40% of the formal caregivers were in the age range of 30 to 40 years. The average number of years of work for informal caregivers was 1...
Barriers to Family Caregivers' Coping With Patients With Severe Mental Illness in Iran
Qualitative health research, 2018
The broad spectrum of problems caused by caring for a patient with mental illness imposes a high burden on family caregivers. This can affect how they cope with their mentally ill family members. Identifying caregivers' experiences of barriers to coping is necessary to develop a program to help them overcome these challenges. This qualitative content analysis study explored barriers impeding family caregivers' ability to cope with their relatives diagnosed with severe mental illness (defined here as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders, and bipolar affective disorders). Sixteen family caregivers were recruited using purposive sampling and interviewed using a semi-structured in-depth interview method. Data were analyzed by a conventional content analytic approach. Findings consisted of four major categories: the patient's isolation from everyday life, incomplete recovery, lack of support by the mental health care system, and stigmatization. Findings highlight the nece...
Treatment outcomes in schizophrenia: qualitative study of the views of family carers
BMC Psychiatry, 2017
Background: Schizophrenia is a complex, heterogeneous disorder, with highly variable treatment outcomes, and relatively little is known about what is important to patients. The aim of the study was to understand treatment outcomes informal carers perceive to be important to people with schizophrenia. Method: Qualitative interview study with 34 individuals and 8 couples who care for a person with schizophrenia/ schizoaffective disorder. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed by a thematic framework based approach. Results: Carers described well-recognised outcomes of importance, alongside more novel outcomes relating to: Safety (of the patient/others); insight (e.g. into non-reality of psychotic phenomena); respite from fear, distress or pain; socially acceptable behaviour; getting out of the house; attainment of life milestones; changes in personality and/or temperament; reduction of vulnerability to stress; and several aspects of physical health. Conclusions: These findings have the potential to inform the development of patient-or carer-focused outcome measures that take into account the full range of domains that carers feel are important for patients.
The experience of growing up with a parent with schizophrenia—A qualitative study
Qualitative Psychology
In this study, we investigated the subjective experiences of six individuals from Spain who grew up with a parent with schizophrenia. Our objectives were to explore participants' perceptions of the effects of these experiences upon their development and their sense of continuing impact upon their adult lives and relationships. Our approach was guided by Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and data collection involved in-depth interviews with participants. Three themes were generated: Role change and loss, Prison of Silence and Who Am I? The findings highlighted the stigma of schizophrenia in society, a lack of support, emotional deprivation in childhood, and lasting negative effects for these participants upon their world view. This exploratory interview-based study was guided by principles of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) (Smith et al., 2009). British Psychological Society (BPS) ethical principles regarding research with human participants were followed, and the study was approved by Sheffield Hallam University Research Ethics Committee. Recruitment We recruited participants from a non-profit organization who provide psychological services to relatives of individuals with mental disorders in Valencia, Spain. Adults who grew up with a parent diagnosed with schizophrenia were introduced to the study and invited to participate, excluding those known to have schizophrenia or other serious mental illness. Informed consent was obtained from those expressing an interest, following which interviews were arranged. Participants Our six participants (3 men; 3 women) were Spanish. One revealed suffering from moderate depression but, following a careful discussion of risks and rights, wished to participate. Average age was 33 years (range 28-37). Two were siblings (a brother and a sister). Five had a mother with schizophrenia; one a father. Parental schizophrenia was diagnosed early in childhood for three participants, and during adolescence for the remainder. One participant was living with their parents, four lived with partners, and none had children. Five had a university degree. Data Collection An interview schedule was developed, with questions to explore experiences, and issues relating to perceived impact, wellbeing, beliefs and behaviour. Questions focused on the past, such as:
Participation of People With Schizophrenia in Everyday Life: Family’s Perspective
Iranian Rehabilitation Journal
People with chronic mental health condition like schizophrenia experience a lot of changes in their lives, in addition to their symptoms. The present study used a thematic analysis to explore the participation of people with schizophrenia in daily life from family's perspective. It has uncovered some of the contributing factors in the everyday life participation of this group. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were held with 8 family members of patients with schizophrenia. All the interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were then analyzed in 6 phases of thematic analysis. Results: Three main themes and 10 subthemes were extracted from the interviews. The main themes included impaired function, family types, and treatment dimensions. The subthemes identified within the family circumstance theme were supportive family, pitying family, ignored family, and confused family. Discussion: According to the findings, besides the effects of the disease and its treatment on the performance of people with schizophrenia, the family also has a substantial role in the participation of their ill member in daily life activities. Considering the identified effects of families on patients' participation and their needs, designing family-based interventions and training programs can facilitate the participation of patients with schizophrenia in everyday life.
Research Paper: Participation of People With Schizophrenia in Everyday Life: Family's Perspective
Objectives: People with chronic mental health condition like schizophrenia experience a lot of changes in their lives, in addition to their symptoms. The present study used a thematic analysis to explore the participation of people with schizophrenia in daily life from family's perspective. It has uncovered some of the contributing factors in the everyday life participation of this group. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were held with 8 family members of patients with schizophrenia. All the interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were then analyzed in 6 phases of thematic analysis. Results: Three main themes and 10 subthemes were extracted from the interviews. The main themes included impaired function, family types, and treatment dimensions. The subthemes identified within the family circumstance theme were supportive family, pitying family, ignored family, and confused family. Discussion: According to the findings, besides the effects of the disease and its treatment on the performance of people with schizophrenia, the family also has a substantial role in the participation of their ill member in daily life activities. Considering the identified effects of families on patients' participation and their needs, designing family-based interventions and training programs can facilitate the participation of patients with schizophrenia in everyday life. Highlights ● Social participation in patients with schizophrenia have undergone several changes along with the disease symptoms. ● Treatments have positive and negative effects on patient's social participation. ● Families have crucial role in the participation of their ill member in daily life activities. Plain Language Summary People with chronic mental health condition like schizophrenia experience a lot of changes in their lives, in addition to their symptoms. The present study tried to explore the aspects of the participation of patients with schizophrenia in daily life and uncover some of the contributing factors in the social participation of this group. In order to find information about this matter, we conducted some interviews with patients' families and ask them about how their ill members behave in their daily life. What we found from the interviews shows that disease is the main reason interrupting daily functions. In addition, treatments are double-edged swords in patients' lives. Treatment can improve patients' participation while its side effects can hinder participation. Similarly, the way that families treat their ill member can be both facilitator and ob-structer to his/her participation. Supportive families help their ill member to participate in a more active way in their lives. On the other hand, pitiful families deprived them of the opportunity to participate in daily life. Furthermore, there are some unmet needs among families. Needs such as having access to sufficient and useful information about the nature of the patient's disease and effective way to communicate with the ill member. In conclusion, considering the role of families and their needs, we can facilitate the participation of patients with schizophrenia in everyday life through educating families.
Family Caregivers' Perspective on Factors Affecting Recovery from Schizophrenia
East Asian Archives of Psychiatry, 2020
Objective: To explore caregivers' perspective on factors affecting the recovery of their family members diagnosed with schizophrenia. Methods: A qualitative grounded theory approach was used. A convenience sample of seven male and eleven female family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia were invited from outpatient (n = 6), inpatient (n = 7), and psychiatric rehabilitation (n = 5) services in an Indian mental health institute to participate in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed. Similar themes were grouped and the main themes identified. Results: Caregivers' perspectives on factors affecting recovery from schizophrenia were categorised to two themes: facilitators and barriers. The nine facilitators were (1) getting into a precise treatment regimen and sticking to it, (2) developing some personal attributes, (3) exercising family's role diametrically, (4) paying attention to basic needs, (5) sharing with the Almighty, (6) adapting to a supportive lifestyle, (7) not being idle… engage in something, (8) coming out, being and sharing with others, and (9) having adequate resources with a good support system. The ten barriers were (1) detrimental treatment practices, (2) hampering illness impacts, (3) off-putting personality elements, (4) unaccommodating family circumstances, (5) caregivers' limitation, (6) flaccid support system and scarce resources, (7) ambiguous treatment outcome or prognosis, (8) futile religious, health, and social belief systems, (9) situational factors, and (10) presence of troubling physical or psychological stressors. Conclusion: The recovery process is facilitated through family involvement and support by mental health professionals. Thus, giving a pre-treatment counselling to the caregivers and repeating the same content to the patients after regaining insight can be helpful.
The experiences of Turkish families caring for individuals with Schizophrenia: A qualitative inquiry
Background: In Turkey, individuals with schizophrenia usually live with their families. Therefore, families are main caregivers and face psychological, financial and social problems. Aim: The aim of this study is to understand the personal burdens and coping strategies, and social support affecting the families that provide care to the individuals with schizophrenia. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with 31 members of 12 families. Results: Four themes were formed: learning and accepting the disorder, caregiving, social dimensions and service dimensions. Families have a problem with accepting this order and caregiving affects their quality of life both financially and socially. As schizophrenia is one of the reasons for being isolated from community, families prefer hiding it. Although families are satisfied with community-based systems, they need long-term solution, training and financial aid. Conclusions: To reduce the burden, family therapies, education and psychological support should be provided for families, and job opportunities, long-term caregiving services and psychological support should be provided for individuals with schizophrenia.