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Experiences of caring for a sibling with schizophrenia in a Chinese context: A neglected issue
Author(s) -
Yang ChengI,
Hsieh MinYun,
Lee LiHung,
Chen ShuLing
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
international journal of mental health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.911
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1447-0349
pISSN - 1445-8330
DOI - 10.1111/inm.12269
Subject(s) - psychoeducation , sibling , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , context (archaeology) , qualitative research , psychology , mental health , psychiatry , caregiver burden , medicine , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , disease , psychological intervention , paleontology , social science , sociology , biology , dementia , pathology
Adult clients with schizophrenia are primarily cared for by their ageing parents. When the parents become ill or die, siblings are considered to be responsible for taking over the caregiving role. However, little is known about caregiving for a sibling with schizophrenia, and no studies have explored this phenomenon in an Asian context. The aim of the present descriptive, qualitative study was to understand the experiences of being the primary caregiver of a sibling with schizophrenia. Data were collected from 10 siblings of currently‐hospitalized patients diagnosed with schizophrenia using semistructured, in‐depth interviews. Recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed by qualitative content analysis. This analysis identified four themes: (i) stepping forward to become caregiver; (ii) challenges of caregiving; (iii) need for support; and (iv) worries about future care. Our findings suggest that mental health‐care professionals should involve all family members, including siblings, in the care plan for the person with schizophrenia, and provide appropriate psychoeducation for all family members to reduce not only the tension and stress of current caregiving, but also anxieties about future care.