Experiences, Knowledge and Perceptions of Family Caregivers of Individuals with Mental Illness: A Qualitative Thematic Analysis

Abstract

Background: Family caregivers are key players in the provision of support to mentally ill patients, especially in low-resource and community-based care facilities.

Aim: The objective of the proposed study was to investigate the experiences of family caregivers concerning persons with mental illness and their knowledge and perceptions of the caregiving role.

Methods: The qualitative descriptive design was adopted in the form of the six phases in the thematic analysis framework by Braun and Clarke. A total of 20 family caregivers of the outpatient psychiatric clinics of Azadi Teaching Hospital were recruited using purposive sampling. The data were gathered using semi-structured face-to-face interviews in Arabic, audio-taped, transcribed in their verbatim, and English translations. The collection of data was done until saturation was reached.

Results: There were six high-level themes, including caregiver duties and stress, emotional and psychological impact, role transformation and altered family relationships, coping strategies and lack of support, knowledge and misconceptions, and resiliency and new outlook. Caregivers reported they spent many hours a day supervising, the person didn't take medication, risked their safety, became emotionally exhausted, placed financial burdens on the family and felt stigmatized . Poor mental health literacy and cultural models of explanation were affecting behaviors of seeking help and management of crisis.

Conclusion: Mental illness family care is a multidimensional and transforming experience that may be associated with a high burden and considerable resilience. It is critical to enhance family-focused psychoeducation, diminish stigma, increase access to services and enhance culturally competent support systems .