Family Perspectives Related to Caring for Mental Health Care Users: A Case Study in the Long-Term Mental Health Institutions of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Mabunda, Nkhensani F; Mangena-Netshikweta, Mutshinyalo L; Lebese, Rachel T.; Olaniyi, Foluke C.

doi:10.3390/ijerph191710511

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…The other finding was that the families of the MHCUs' were not involved in their lives and had abandoned them in the biomedical facilities or had not visited at all. The finding is consistent with the results from a study conducted in Limpopo Province, South Africa, by Mabunda (2018), stating that the family affiliate of the MHCUs did not visit their loved ones in biomedical centres.…”

Section: Participants' Knowledge Of Their Diagnostic Labelssupporting

confidence: 91%

Culture and help-seeking behaviour in the rural communities of Limpopo, South Africa: unearthing beliefs of mental health care users and caregivers

Bila

Carbonatto

2022

Mental Health, Religion & Culture

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The study employed a qualitative approach to explore the cultural beliefs of mental health care users (MHCUs) and caregivers regarding help-seeking behaviour in the rural communities of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Forty participants were interviewed, comprising 30 MHCUs and 10 caregivers. Mental illness was ascribed to witchcraft (uvuloyi) and help was mostly sought from traditional and religious healers as the first steps on the path of help-seeking, whereas Western forms of care were usually considered as a last resort. The factors found to influence help-seeking behaviour amongst the participants included lack of knowledge regarding mental illness; traditional beliefs; stigma and discrimination; and the side effects of the antipsychotic medication. The study suggests the importance of psychoeducation for caregivers and the community regarding mental illness and cultural competence in serving communities with cultural beliefs about mental illness. Media platforms should be utilised to raise public awareness. The study also suggests collaboration between different stakeholders working with MHCUs.

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Section: Participants' Knowledge Of Their Diagnostic Labelssupporting

confidence: 91%

Culture and help-seeking behaviour in the rural communities of Limpopo, South Africa: unearthing beliefs of mental health care users and caregivers

Bila

Carbonatto

2022

Mental Health, Religion & Culture

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“…The interview guide asked participants for information about MHCU relapse after a short-term stay in acute psychiatric units. The development of the interview guide was informed by previous research on family perspectives related to caring for mental healthcare users [19]. The interview guide question was structured in English, then translated into Tshivenda, Xitsonga, and Sepedi, because these are the most spoken languages in the study setting.…”

Section: Data Collection Toolmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since the literature highlights that there is a high percentage of mental healthcare users discharged from the hospital to their family members [18,19], it is critical to assess and address the families' perspectives, concerns, desires, and needs through therapists or case managers for their MHCU relatives. As a result of the deinstitutionalization movement, families have all too often become de facto therapists or case managers for their MHCU relatives [20].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relapse among MHCUs after a Short-Term Admission in an Acute Psychiatric Unit: Primary Caregivers’ Perspective

Raluthaga

Shilubane

Lowane

2023

IJERPH

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South Africa has taken initiative to strengthen its mental health system, by improving the Mental Health Care Act 17 of 2002 which proclaims that mental healthcare users (MHCUs) can be treated in communities and homes. Due to short-term hospitalisations for acute MHCUs and advocacy for community-based care, families play a significant role in providing care to severe mental healthcare users. The objective of the study was to explore primary caregivers’ perspective regarding the relapse of MHCUs following a short-term admission in acute psychiatric units. A qualitative explorative design was used. In-depth individual interviews were conducted with 18 primary caregivers whose family members were readmitted to four hospitals with units designated for acute MHCUs in Limpopo. NVivo computer software version 11 was used to analyse data. The findings are that MHCUs deny the mental health condition. Mental illness is considered a short illness that can be cured, which shows misconceptions about self-mental health conditions. Refusal of direct observed treatment support also emerged; hence, it is difficult for caregivers to identify if the patient is taking the correct doses or not taking the medication at all. Perceived wrong beliefs about mental illness can affect the patient’s desire to seek proper management and it can be damaging in many ways. Drugs and alcohol abuse makes MHCUs display disruptive behaviours and contribute to treatment non-adherence resulting in caregivers becoming reluctant to be around them. In conclusion, mixing traditional and faith-based mental healthcare practices as reported by primary caregivers can mean that tailor-fabricated culture-specific mental healthcare is required.

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“…Research demonstrates that family engagement is a vital element in the management and rehabilitation of individuals with psychological disorders, as psychological issues are linked with a range of societal and emotional practices within the family. It has been noted that family participation helps mental health care users prevent relapses and spend less time in hospitals [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Engaging family members can lead to decreased setbacks, decreased admissions, reduced hospital stays, and better compliance with treatment. Relatives play a significant part in assisting MHCUs and encouraging improved coping skills [3,8]. Family involvement aids in the early recognition of symptoms of relapse in mental health care users diagnosed with schizophrenia [9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perspectives of Hospitalized Mental Health Care Users Concerning the Involvement of Family Members in Their Care: A Qualitative Study

Shimange,

Shilubane

2023

Nursing Reports

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The value of families and professionals in mental health care is well understood. Patient perspectives appear to have gotten less attention to date. This study investigated the perspectives of hospitalized mental health care users on the involvement of family members in their care using a qualitative phenomenological design. The participants with lived experience of family members being involved in their care were chosen using non-probability, purposive sampling. Individual interviews were carried out with the assistance of a voice recorder and observation notes. Because of data saturation, only fifteen people were interviewed. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Colaizzi’s method. It started with reading and reviewing the transcript to extract key statements about the phenomenon. The meaning was then determined by carefully studying the primary significant statements and phrases. The established meanings were then organized into themes and subthemes. The three themes that emerged from the data analysis are as follows: a wide variation in patients’ perspectives when family members remind them of their medicine, unpredictable visitation by family members, and a lack of support from family members. There were also the following five sub-themes: not visiting mental health care users in the hospital causes uncertainty about their future, mental health care users were concerned by fewer visits from relatives, friends were perceived as a contributory factor to no or limited visitation by family members, disappointment by a lack of financial support, and perceived lack of emotional support from family members. There is a need for family members to visit mental health care users to remove uncertainty about their future. Healthcare providers should listen to mental health care users to identify the challenges they are faced with, and hospital policies tailored to enhancing the involvement of family members should be formulated.

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Family Perspectives Related to Caring for Mental Health Care Users: A Case Study in the Long-Term Mental Health Institutions of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Cited by 4 publications

References 21 publications

Culture and help-seeking behaviour in the rural communities of Limpopo, South Africa: unearthing beliefs of mental health care users and caregivers

Culture and help-seeking behaviour in the rural communities of Limpopo, South Africa: unearthing beliefs of mental health care users and caregivers

Relapse among MHCUs after a Short-Term Admission in an Acute Psychiatric Unit: Primary Caregivers’ Perspective

Perspectives of Hospitalized Mental Health Care Users Concerning the Involvement of Family Members in Their Care: A Qualitative Study

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