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Living with schizophrenia in rural communities in north‐east Thailand
Author(s) -
Rujkorakarn Darunee,
Buatee Supatra,
Jundeekrayom Surada,
Mills Andrew C.
Publication year - 2018
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.12448
Subject(s) - social support , activities of daily living , normative , psychology , qualitative research , rural community , rural area , gerontology , medicine , sociology , psychiatry , socioeconomics , social psychology , political science , social science , pathology , law
In the rural villages of Thailand, rich social support networks exist that bond the community members to help each other. This study explored the barriers and facilitators of living with schizophrenia in Thai villages. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted using semi‐structured interviews with individuals with schizophrenia, family members, and significant others. Content analysis of transcripts involved examining the data, recording observations, data reduction, and coding themes. Four main themes emerged from the narratives: (i) keep doing day‐to‐day activities as a way of life; (ii) support sustains day‐to‐day living; (iii) controlling medication side effects maintains daily living; and (iv) managing self maintains daily living. Self‐regulation and social support are keys to moving from dependence to a normative life goal in rural communities. The patterns of living in the rural communities provide a strong social network as people with schizophrenia learn to lead successful lives. Using supportive families and community members as resources is an alternative and effective way of providing supportive care.