Barriers to Family Caregivers’ Coping With Patients With Severe Mental Illness in Iran

Abstract

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 necessity of providing support for caregivers by the mental health care delivery service system.

Family Achievements in the Battle with Schizophrenia: :Life Experiences in a Qualitative Content Analysis Study in IRAN

“…The researcher referred to the inpatient medical records unit in different wards of the hospital, collected the patients' telephone number and address registered in the records, and made the necessary arrangements for the interviews. Participants included family members of patients with schizophrenia, who met the following criteria: having a family member with schizophrenia (diagnosed by a psychiatrist), 18 years of age and higher (22), and favorable physical and mental conditions, living with and taking care of the patient directly for the last year, passing at least one year from the diagnosis of schizophrenia (23), as well as having the ability to understand and speak Persian or Persian dialects -Baluchi and Sistani. Sampling continued until information saturation was reached and no new conceptual information was obtained (24).…”

Language Related Difficulties Experienced by Caregivers of English-Speaking Seniors in Quebec

“…Witham et al (2018) highlight various challenges and communication difficulties met by caregivers of people with cancer and dementia. Similarly, Ebrahimi et al (2018) identify the difficulties and stresses experienced by caregivers of adults with mental illness, in a context where caregivers and health professionals use the same language. LaValley (2018) also underlines the difficulties caregivers can experience when communicating with health professionals.…”

Effect of group counseling on the attitude among the family caregivers of patients with mental disorders

“…Therefore, families are the first and the most important source for the psychiatric care of patients [3]. One in four families has at least one Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 2020; 3: 61-68 member with mental illness and family members often become their primary caregivers [4].…”

“…Family caregivers, usually prepare physical, emotional, and financial support to their member with chronic illness [4]. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to identify caregivers' needs, provide constant care both for the caregivers and the patients, monitor their mental statue, and offer available services to them [8,9].…”

“…Realistic attitude to-ward mental disorders, profound knowledge, and availability of treatment facilities can promote mental health in caregivers [16]. While one of barriers to family caregivers' Coping in Iran is lack of patient and family education [4].…”