Experiences of primary caregivers in caring of non-relapse schizophrenic patients

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences of primary caregivers in caring for non-relapse schizophrenic patients.

Design: Qualitative research.

Methods: This study was qualitative research of the interpretative phenomenological of Martin Heidegger approach. The participants included 11 primary caregivers who were selected by using purposive sampling. Data were collected through in-depth interviews. The interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim, observation and field recording as well as analyzed using the content analysis method of van Manen.

Findings: The results of the research revealed two parts. Part 1 The meaning of caring for non-relapse schizophrenic patients was identified in order to prevent relapse, caregiving with love and care. The patients were their loved one which is important, valuable, and means for them. Including two sub-themes as following; 1. Responsibilities with love and care. 2. Love and deep connection in their family. Part 2 There are three themes and six sub-themes of experiences of primary caregivers in caring for non-relapse schizophrenic patients that emerged from the study. 1. Illness recognition and seeking how to treat 1.1) Recognized patients’ abnormal 1.2) Seeking the right place for treating, 2. Accepting the situation 2.1) Life in distress 2.2) Adjust to the situation. 3. Caring and Rehabilitation in order to prevent relapse 3.1) Response to patients’ physical, psychological and social needs 3.2) Get patients a job and have their own income.

Conclusion: The results of the study made understanding about experiences of primary caregivers in caring for non-relapse schizophrenic patients since primary caregivers recognized the onset of psychosis and caring rehabilitation to prevent relapse and the impact of caregiving on primary caregivers. These guides for nurses and multidisciplinary teams to providing care for them to continued quality and appropriate care in order to prevent relapse.