Generalities About Caring Mental Illness and Impact on Family Caregivers in Chinese Community: A Ten Years Narrative Review Study

Abstract

Background: Worldwide, the burden of mental health is increasing day by day. The WHO alerts countries that diseases caused by mental health will occupy the second rank on the rest of non-communicable diseases. The increase of mental diseases is always associated with the increase of multiple challenges in primary caregivers who are mostly family members of the patient. China is one of nations with high prevalence of mental health disorders. Like many other countries caregiving mental health in china would have challenges and opportunities. This study aimed to narratively combine studies on family caregivers of psychiatric illness in China thereby making an objective conclusion Methods: A matrix method was narratively used in this study. Studies conducted in Chinese community which includes studies in main land China, Hong Kong and Taiwan conducted in the period between 2008-2019 were considered. 47 studies were considered for analysis and five main themes were found for consideration. Results: The findings in this study are summarized in the following themes 1. High burden and burnout of care and influencing factors, 2. The high stigma of caregivers 3. The low quality of life of caregivers 4. the social support. 5. Care and intervention for caregivers of psychiatric disorders. Conclusion: caregivers of psychiatric illness in Chinese community face challenges that are in some cases different to the rest of the world however there are many similarities with the rest of the world that are found. To overcome these challenges, all parties are called to play its assigned role in the eradication of these challenges. There is a need of strengthening the available opportunities and the common understanding of the problem is required in Chinese community.