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Burdens and difficulties experienced by caregivers of children and adolescents with schizophrenia‐spectrum disorders: a qualitative study
Author(s) -
Knock Jane,
Kline Emily,
Schiffman Jason,
Maynard Ashley,
Reeves Gloria
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
early intervention in psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.087
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1751-7893
pISSN - 1751-7885
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-7893.2011.00305.x
Subject(s) - schizophrenia spectrum , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , psychiatry , psychology , clinical psychology , qualitative research , medicine , developmental psychology , psychosis , social science , sociology
Aim: The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the burdens and difficulties associated with the experience of caring for youth with schizophrenia‐spectrum disorders. Methods: Ten caregivers participated in a modified version of the Knowledge about Schizophrenia Illness interview. Results: The most common areas of general difficulties reported by caregivers were emotional burdens and the everyday practical demands and sacrifices required in caring for their dependents. Results also suggested high levels of burden for caregivers concerning difficulties with mental health services. Conclusion: Additional work is needed to learn more about the challenges that caregivers of youth with schizophrenia‐spectrum disorders are facing, as well as to develop empirically based strategies for helping these caregivers and their dependents.