Coping mechanisms used by the families of mental health care users in Mahikeng sub-district, North West province

Abstract

Background: Families of the mental health care users (MHCUs) face different challenges in dealing with, supporting and caring for MHCUs on a daily basis. The divergent coping mechanisms that the family members use aim to lower the negative, psychological and emotional impact of the stress. These include: escape, avoidance and denial.Aim: To explore, describe and contextualise coping mechanisms used by the families of MHCUs and to suggest recommendations for improving their coping mechanisms in Mahikeng sub-district, North West province (NWP), South Africa.Setting: The study was conducted in three community health centres in Mahikeng sub-district, NWP, South Africa.Methods: A qualitative-exploratory-descriptive and contextual research design was used. Non-probability convenience and purposive sampling techniques were used to select participants. WhatsApp video calls were used to collect data which were analysed following Creswell’s six steps of qualitative data analysis.Results: The study established three themes namely; challenges experienced by the family members, coping mechanism used by the family members, and suggestions for improvement in the coping mechanisms for the family members.Conclusion: The findings of this study show that the family members of MHCUs are faced with different challenges. Some of the coping mechanisms used by the family members are insufficient and require improvement to enable them to cope effectively. When the coping mechanisms of the family members of MHCUs are improved, their well-being and that of the MHCUs might improve significantly.Contribution: The findings of this study provides information that may be used to improve the coping mechanisms of the families of MHCUs in the NWP, South Africa.

Experiences of family members caring for a sibling with mental illness in Giyani, Limpopo

“…In a study by Pusey-Murray and Miller ( 2013 :119), family members reported that mentally ill patients sometimes refused to take their medication as prescribed; unpleasant side effects and a lack of insight were the primary reasons for this. This is similar to a South African study by Modise et al ( 2021 :5–6) who mentioned defaulting on medication as challenge family members of psychiatric patients were facing which led to aggression, unpredictable behaviour, stigma and discrimination by the community. Moreover, this was also reported by Von Kardoff et al ( 2016 :4), stating medication compliance was one of the problems reported by their participants.…”

“…It may have a negative impact on family relationships, finances, physical and psychological well-being of family members in terms of decreasing the quality of life of individuals caring for a sibling with mental illness. Modise et al ( 2021 :7) found that family members in their study experienced diverse challenges which included aggression from their mentally ill relatives, stigma from the community as well as negative attitudes from the nursing staff.…”

“…In such instances, they must learn to cope with this altered dynamic, which adds a new dimension to the sibling relationship (Griffiths & Sin 2013 :808). Modise, Mokgaola and Sehularo ( 2021 :7) found that one of the ways to cope is by the family members’ acceptance of the siblings’ condition, respect, effective communication with the sibling, prayer and counselling to relieve stress.…”

Family members’ experiences of caring for a relative with substance-induced psychosis disorder

“…Participants in this study sometimes went as far as borrowing money from loan sharks so that they could give their relatives whatever they demanded. This is supported by a study conducted by Modise, Mokgaola and Sehularo ( 2021 :6); the researchers stated that participants reported that their salary was not enough to take care of the basic needs of the mental healthcare user (MHCU).…”

Family Perspectives Related to Caring for Mental Health Care Users: A Case Study in the Long-Term Mental Health Institutions of Limpopo Province, South Africa

“…Family involvement is a significant factor in the treatment and recovery of patients with mental illness, as mental health problems have been associated with an assortment of social and psychological processes in one’s family and family involvements have been reported to help with relapse prevention and reduced hospital stays for mental health users [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. However, caring for mental health care users (MHCUs) is associated with great psychological and psychiatric morbidity for the family members themselves [ 4 ]. Families with MHCUs experience a range of negative emotional states that include irritation and frustration when they think of their loved ones with mental illness.…”