PEARL Multidisciplinary Journal
Abstract
Family members play vital role in care of persons with sick especially with mental illness living in families. Their care is multiple in terms of taking day-to-day care, supervising medications, taking the patient to the hospital and looking after the financial needs as well as to bear with the behavioral disturbances of the patient. Thus, the family caregiver experiences considerable stress and burden, and needs help in coping with it.
The present study assessed the experiences faced by care givers in care of mentally ill patients living in their families. It is a part of UGC sponsored minor research project. The four rural areas were selected to assess around 100 participants who were taking care of mentally ill persons in their families. The Convenient sampling technique was adopted for selection of samples by making house-to-house visits, interviewing, and assessment of care giving and living conditions in the families. A Semi-Structured questionnaire was used for this study. In the process of development of the tool the investigator reviewed the secondary data on Mental Illness and the validity of the questionnaire was discussed with subject experts from the field of education and health profession and developed the tool.
Major findings were assessed based on the results of the study. According to this research there is mental illness existing in families, most of family members feel that mental illness is a burden, there is negative opinion (stigma) among family members. An unhealthy coping style is likely to adversely affect the care giving function. Hence, it is important to take care of the needs of the family caregivers. The family caregiver has remained as a neglected lot, often ignored by the mental health professionals. This key support system can’t be taken as granted and ignored. Further studies required to provide accurate information for assessment and effective care giving strategies to cope their burden and issues in care giving.
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Keywords
Care Giving, Mental Illness, Patients and Family
Author Affiliations
Roshan Monteiro
P.G. Department of Studies and Research in Social Work, St Aloysius College (Autonomous), Mangalore
Dates
August 2017
Volume 3
No 2
