Daily life for young adults who care for a person with mental illness: a qualitative study

Abstract

This study describes the daily life and management strategies of young informal carers of family members or friends with mental illness. Twelve young adults (three men and nine women; 16-25 years old) in Sweden were voluntarily recruited between February and May 2008. Data collected through eight individual semi-structured interviews and one focus group interview were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The findings revealed nine subthemes that were further grouped into three main themes: showing concern, providing support and using management strategies. Participants lived in constant readiness for something unexpected to happen to the person they cared for, and their role in the relationship could change quickly from family member or friend to guardian or supervisor. Supporting a friend was considered as large a personal responsibility as supporting a family member. Their management strategies were based on individual capacities and their ability to step aside should the situation become too demanding. These young informal carers need support in caring for the mentally ill. As the internet becomes increasingly fundamental to daily life, support could be provided most effectively through person-centred web sites.

Working with Families Affected by Mental Distress: Stakeholders' Perceptions of Mental Health Nurses Educational Needs

“…Literature exploring the impact of mental health problems on the family includes the experiences of spouses, siblings, children and friends of the person with a mental health problem and provides evidence of the effects described earlier (Tweedell et al, 2004;Wade, 2006;Schmid et al, 2009;Tranvag & Kristoffersen, 2008;Small, Harrison, & Newell, 2010;HedmanAhlström, Skarsater, & Danielsson, 2011;Ali et al, 2012;McAndrew et al, 2012;Wilson, Cruickshank, & Lea, 2012). To a lesser extent, positive experiences have also been reported.…”

Support for Young Informal Carers of Persons with Mental Illness: A Mixed-Method Study

“…Caring for a person with an illness or a disability has an effect on the carer (Dahlqvist Jönsson, Skärsäter, Wijk, & Danielsson, 2010;Hastrup, Van Den Berg, & Gyrd-Hansen, 2011;Hedman Ahlström et al, 2008;Jankovic et al, 2011); feelings of loneliness and isolation can arise when someone becomes ill or disabled, and it can change the daily lives of family members, friends, and neighbors (Ali, Hedman Ahlström, Krevers, & Skärsäter, 2012;Nolan et al, 2001). That change can be just as devastating as the illness (Dahlqvist Jönsson et al, 2010;Hastrup et al, 2011;Hedman Ahlström et al, 2008).…”

“…The concept of support in caregiving research has mainly been related to family caregivers (Dahlqvist Jönsson et al, 2010;Ewertzon et al, 2012;Weimand, Hedelin, Sällström, & Hall-Lord, 2010), although recent research shows that friends also take on the responsibly of supporting and caring for PMIs (Ali et al, 2012). This study was necessary to provide broader knowledge of how to provide support for YICs, who through their care of PMIs, are a valuable resource in society.…”

“…Social support can be defined as obtaining emotional concern, instrumental aid, information, and appraisal thru one's own social network (House, Landis, & Umberson, 1988). YICs often handle the responsibility on their own and lack professional support to guide them in their caring role (Ali et al, 2012;Ewertzon et al, 2012;Grant et al, 2008). Social support has, according to Meleis (2010), an important impact on young persons, as their environment, family, or close friends affect their development into adulthood.…”

“…Previous research on young carers who care for disabled persons also points out that inappropriate level of caring can impact on young person's own emotional and physical health, educational achievement, and life changes (Frank & Slatcher, 2009). Daily life is stressful for YICs as they must be constantly alert to unexpected events such as the person in their care needing them in the middle of the night or resisting help when the condition worsens (Ali et al, 2012;Ebstrup et al, 2011). YICs are in a sensitive developing phase in life themselves, emerging into adulthood and experiencing changing life perspectives, world views, and many other factors, such as moving out of the family home, engaging with a partner, and deciding upon a career to strive for (Arnett, 2000(Arnett, , 2006.…”