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Experiences of Asian American Parents in a Group Intervention for Youth With Schizophrenia
Author(s) -
Kennedy Michael G.,
Schepp Karen G.,
Rungruangkonkit Sangjan
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of child and adolescent psychiatric nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.331
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1744-6171
pISSN - 1073-6077
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-6171.2008.00138.x
Subject(s) - intervention (counseling) , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , interpreter , psychology , sibling , population , clinical psychology , mentally ill , psychiatry , mental health , medicine , developmental psychology , mental illness , environmental health , computer science , programming language
PROBLEM: Schizophrenia, which frequently strikes during adolescence or young adulthood, can have devastating effects on the family. Parents, who are primary caregivers for mentally ill adolescents, often lack the information and skills necessary to cope with the multiple and complex consequences of a major psychiatric disorder. Moreover, parents are ill‐ prepared to help their other children cope with the unpredictable changes that accompany having a mentally ill sibling. Asian American parents face similar issues in dealing with their schizophrenic adolescents. However, there is limited information available about this population.METHODS: The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the experiences of four Asian American parents who participated in a community‐based, family‐centered, self‐management intervention program for youth with schizophrenia. Participants were interviewed using semistructured interviews and language interpreters. Data were analyzed utilizing content analysis.FINDINGS: Four themes were identified: (a) same, but different; (b) sharing and learning; (c) using skills learned; and (d) working with interpreters.CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that Asian American parents valued their participation in the group intervention and emphasized their similarities with non‐Asian American families who have a mentally ill youth.