The psychosocial problems of families caring for relatives with mental illnesses and their coping strategies: a qualitative urban based study in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Masunga K Iseselo,Lusajo Kajula,Khadija I Yahya-Malima

doi:10.1186/s12888-016-0857-y

Abstract

BackgroundMental illness may cause a variety of psychosocial problems such as decreased quality of life of the patient’s family members as well as increased social distance for the patient and the family caring for the patient. Psychosocial challenges are enhanced by the stigma attached to mental illness, which is a problem affecting not only the patient but also the family as a whole. Coping mechanisms for dealing with mentally ill patients differ from one family to another for a variety of reasons.The aim of the study was to determine the psychosocial problems of mental illness on the family including the coping strategies utilized by family members caring for a person with mental illness.MethodA qualitative study was conducted, involving four focus group discussions and 2 in-depth interviews of family members who were caring for patient with mental illness at Temeke Municipality, Dar es Salaam. Purposive sampling procedure was used to select participants for the study. Audio-recorded interviews in Swahili were conducted with all study participants. The recorded interview was transcribed and qualitative content thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.ResultsFinancial constraints, lack of social support, disruption of family functioning, stigma, discrimination, and patients’ disruptive behaviour emerged as the main themes in this study. Acceptance and religious practice emerged as the major coping strategies used by family members.ConclusionFamilial care for a person with mental illness has its advantages, yet it has multiple social and psychological challenges. Coping strategies and skills are important for the well-being of the caregiver and the patient. Addressing these psychosocial challenges requires a collaborative approach between the health care providers and government so that the needs of the family caregivers and those of the patients can be addressed accordingly.

Highlights

Mental illness may cause a variety of psychosocial problems such as decreased quality of life of the patient’s family members as well as increased social distance for the patient and the family caring for the patient
Addressing these psychosocial challenges requires a collaborative approach between the health care providers and government so that the needs of the family caregivers and those of the patients can be addressed
Psychosocial problems Mental illness may cause a variety of psychosocial problems such as decreased quality of life for the patient’s family members, as well as increased social distance for the patient and the family caring for the patient

Summary

Introduction

Mental illness may cause a variety of psychosocial problems such as decreased quality of life of the patient’s family members as well as increased social distance for the patient and the family caring for the patient. Psychosocial challenges are enhanced by the stigma attached to mental illness, which is a problem affecting the patient and the family as a whole. It is estimated that 450 million people are affected by mental disorders at any one time These include 121 million people with depression, 24 million with schizophrenia and 37 million with dementia [1]. Mental illness accounted for about 12.3 % of the global burden of disease in 2001 and it is estimated that by 2020 unipolar depressive disorders will be the second most important cause of disability [2]. Tanzania lacks established statistics on families affected by mental illness

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