‘I wanted my child dead’ – Physical, social, cognitive, emotional and spiritual life stories of Turkish parents who give care to their children with schizophrenia: A qualitative analysis based on empowerment approach

Abstract

Background: Schizophrenia deeply affects both the lives of patients and their families. The fact that schizophrenic patients in Turkey generally maintain their lives with their families may lead to serious problems for families and parents. Aims: The main purposes of this research are to determine the physical, social, cognitive, emotional and spiritual lives of parents of children with schizophrenia with the main concepts of the empowerment approach. Method: The research was carried out with the qualitative research method. In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 parents in total, that is, 15 mothers and 15 fathers, through semi-structured interview form. Maxqda 2018 was used for the analysis of the research data. Results: According to the research result, it is determined that the parents have problems due to physical, social, cognitive, emotional and spiritual disease process; gender perspective and roles; domestic functionality; social environment, social perception; and issues related to services. Conclusion: Considering the parents who are affected by the disease process which is a particularly quite difficult process and who affect the process, to recognize the situations that lead them to gain strength and that make them powerless in personal, interpersonal and political aspects, to activate the existing resources and to create new resources are highly important factors for them to cope with the disease process effectively.

Factors related to family’s ability to care for schizophrenic patients

“…The study found that families have various resources, including the majority being well educated (38.5%), as private employees (37.8%), 65% are still productive age (20-55 years), use non private insurance (95.6%) and rely on main family members as caregivers, namely siblings (39.3%) followed by Mother and Father. This is reinforced by the theory that to treat schizophrenic patients, the family will activate existing resources and create new resources [7], [32]. The main family members' involvement as caregivers shows that one of the family resources is the family structure.…”

“…The family's ability to provide care for schizophrenic patients was found to be low. Schizophrenic families at Menur Regional Psychiatric Hospital can care for patients at a moderate level (49.6%) [6], while the family's ability to treat schizophrenia in the Naras Public Health Center working area in Padang is also poor at 46.1% [7]. The majority Int J Public Health Sci ISSN: 2252-8806  Factors related to family's ability to care for schizophrenic patients (Dwi Indah Iswanti) 765 of families experience fatigue and suffering [8].…”

“…In addition, the burden of treatment costs, the frequency of relapse, and stigma are a burden and a stressor for the family [11], so the family sees parenting as a big problem. The family is helpless in dealing with situations and unsure about treating schizophrenia [6], [7]. Families feel unable to care for, and experience failure, helplessness, fatigue, and uncertainty [7].…”

“…The family is helpless in dealing with situations and unsure about treating schizophrenia [6], [7]. Families feel unable to care for, and experience failure, helplessness, fatigue, and uncertainty [7]. Relapse in schizophrenic patients is highly distressing that posed a huge burden to the family [8].…”

“…Families also lack access to mental health services so they are sometimes not treated [10]. and the family's experience of caring for schizophrenia is still considered negative [7], [10]. Families treat schizophrenia according to knowledge [11] and the main factors that cause insuficient family care for schizophrenia are not yet known.…”