Abstract
BackgroundAlthough families caring for a mentally-ill family member may experience challenges, some of these families may display strengths that help them to overcome difficulties and grow even stronger in caring for their family member. In cases where these families are unable to cope, the mentally-ill family member tends to relapse. This indicated the need to explore the strengths of families that cope with caring for mentally-ill family members.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to explore and describe the strengths of families in supporting mentally-ill family members in Potchefstroom in the North-West Province.MethodA qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design was employed, with purposive sampling and unstructured individual interviews with nine participants. Tesch's eight steps of thematic content analysis were used.ResultsTwelve themes emerged from the data. This involved strengths such as obtaining treatment, utilising external resources, faith, social support, supervision, calming techniques, keeping the mentally-ill family member busy, protecting the mentally-ill family member from negative outside influences, creative communication, praise and acceptance.ConclusionFamilies utilise external strengths as well as internal strengths in supporting their mentally-ill family member. Recommendations for nursing practice, nursing education and for further research could be formulated. Psychiatric nurses should acknowledge families’ strengths and, together with families, build on these strengths, as well as empower families further through psycho-education and support.
Highlights
Families who take care of a mentally-ill family member might experience immense difficulties (Hughes 2005)
The main goal of taking care of a mentally-ill family member at home is ‘to enable people with mental health problems to integrate into society and lead normal lives’ (Hsiao & Van Riper 2010)
In cases where the families are unable to cope, the mentally-ill family member tends to relapse and this in turn leads to repeated admissions (Du Plessis, Greeff & Koen 2004). This indicated the need to explore the strengths of families that cope with caring for mentally-ill family members
Summary
Families who take care of a mentally-ill family member might experience immense difficulties (Hughes 2005). These families are in desperate need of support and understanding (Hughes 2005). Families caring for a mentally-ill family member may experience challenges, some of these families may display strengths that help them to overcome difficulties and grow even stronger in caring for their family member. In cases where these families are unable to cope, the mentally-ill family member tends to relapse. This indicated the need to explore the strengths of families that cope with caring for mentally-ill family members
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