The coping experiences of carers who live with someone who has schizophrenia

Abstract

Findings from this study demonstrate the importance of understanding the coping experiences of carers who have a family member with schizophrenia. Further research is needed to identify more important detailed factors that affect the coping strategies of carers. Relevance to clinical practice. Community mental health care professionals need to improve the quality of care for helping carers living with a family member who has schizophrenia. It is important to develop effective coping intervention strategies that help carers cope with the stress and strain of caring for a family member with schizophrenia.

Coping Mechanisms of Caregivers of Persons Diagnosed With Severe Mental Illness in South Africa

“…"Coping mechanisms" refers to what a person does and thinks in response to an event or situation, thus dealing with events or situations with varying degrees of success (Huang, Sun, Yen, & Fu, 2008). Coping mechanisms can be viewed as positive or negative, either improving a person's wellbeing or being harmful to a person's wellbeing (Costa et al, 1991).…”

“…Coping mechanisms are behavioural or cognitive responses made by any person contingent on a life event: thus coping is what a person does and thinks in response to an event, with varying degrees of success (Huang et al, 2008). This study hopes to highlight the variations in coping mechanisms used by caregivers in response to caring for family or community members who are severely mentally ill. Huang et al (2008) studied carers coping with those who suffer from schizophrenia in Taiwan and found that most carers were of low socio-economic status and low educational levels. This seemed to influence their COPING MECHANISMS OF CAREGIVERS OF PERSONS DIAGNOSED 618 coping mechanisms in that it delayed their seeking psychiatric help as they first went to traditional healers or tried Chinese medicine before going for psychiatric help (Huang et al, 2008).…”

“…This study hopes to highlight the variations in coping mechanisms used by caregivers in response to caring for family or community members who are severely mentally ill. Huang et al (2008) studied carers coping with those who suffer from schizophrenia in Taiwan and found that most carers were of low socio-economic status and low educational levels. This seemed to influence their COPING MECHANISMS OF CAREGIVERS OF PERSONS DIAGNOSED 618 coping mechanisms in that it delayed their seeking psychiatric help as they first went to traditional healers or tried Chinese medicine before going for psychiatric help (Huang et al, 2008). They also found that those from better educated classes would seek information about the illness and were members of support groups which helped them cope better (Huang et al, 2008).…”

“…This seemed to influence their COPING MECHANISMS OF CAREGIVERS OF PERSONS DIAGNOSED 618 coping mechanisms in that it delayed their seeking psychiatric help as they first went to traditional healers or tried Chinese medicine before going for psychiatric help (Huang et al, 2008). They also found that those from better educated classes would seek information about the illness and were members of support groups which helped them cope better (Huang et al, 2008).…”

“…Known coping mechanisms used by caregivers include: physical coping mechanisms which include caregivers using alcohol, smoking, medication, relaxation, sleeping, resting and overeating to help them cope; psychological coping mechanisms which include emotional (crying, denial, upset), cognitive (positive thinking, information, problem-solving) and behavioural (hobbies and action-orientated pursuits) responses; and finally, social coping mechanisms including social support, community resources, professional support, spiritual support, respite care and group/ self-help groups (Huang et al, 2008).…”