«Å få lyset til å fortsette å brenne»: En fenomenologisk studie av håp hos pårørende i psykisk helsevern [“To keep the light burning”: a phenomenological study of hope in family members involved in mental health care

Abstract

People experiencing mental health problems regard their social network and family members, along with hope, as important in their recovery processes. Nevertheless, their family members’ experiences with hope appear to have received little attention. The aim of this phenomenological study is to explore how family members within the mental health field describe their experiences of hope. The study has an exploratory and descriptive design. Data was collected through focus group interviews. The data material has been analyzed utilizing systematic text condensation. Family members’ experiences of hope were interpreted and then summarized under the description To keep the light burning. This description comprises two forms of hope. The first is interpreted as fundamental hope and the second as nuances of everyday hope. Family members wish to be included as collaborative partners within the mental health care framework. A relational understanding of hope when identifying realistic everyday goals appears to be fruitful. In addition, addressing family members’ experiences of guilt and their need for relief during challenging periods, seems pivotal in relation to their experiences of hope.