Burdens and Coping Mechanisms of Caring for a Family Member With Mental Illness

Abstract

The impact of mental illnesses is not limited to the person with the disorder but extends to their family members who full-fill caretaker roles. Recently more responsibilities for caring for a person with mental illness have shifted to the family. Caregivers might not express what they are going through while caring for mentally ill relatives, and that will lead to more burden and stress. Through a qualitative phenomenological study and in-depth interviews, this study aimed to explore the experiences of caregivers and identify their coping strategies, by exploring barriers that affect family caregivers’ ability to cope with their relatives diagnosed with mental illness. The study applied Lazarus and Folkman’s (1984) Transaction Model of Stress and coping by collecting samples of caregivers from Nairobi County, Kamili Organization Clinics. This study found out that there was a high prevalence of burden among the family caregivers with 85% of them indicating the burden to occur sometimes, quite frequently, and nearly always whereas only 15% argued not to feel burdened at all. Regarding the patient needs, the respondents indicated the major needs to be total care (26%), medication (26%), and basic needs (22%). Other needs included economic, social, and health support (16%), transportation to the hospital (5%), and food plus moral support (5%). This shows that the patients needed constant and continuous support for their day-to-day needs and observing their mental state. The major changes in caregivers’ lifestyles were overwhelming responsibilities (21%), anxiety (14%), increased connection with the patient (14%), economic hardships (14%), frustrations and debt (7%), and struggling to understand their illness (7%). The results revealed that the most challenging aspect was when the patients got sick or worse. Other challenges experienced included mood and attitude, stress and burnout, and financial difficulties. With regards to the modes of support needed, most of the respondents indicated the need for someone to assist in a caring role, counselling, advice, financial aid, the support provided by the government, medication assistance, and support from family members. Other forms of support required were indicated to be having people around, employment opportunities, taking some time out, and spiritual support. The study concludes that family caregivers are more likely to act as supervisors for people with mental illnesses while continuing to go about their everyday lives and chores. The study also concludes that this can overwhelm and affect the family performance, psychosocial health, and financial pressure of the caregivers. The study recommends that health providers focus not only on the patients but also on the caregivers of patients undergoing mental health care, as they experience a lot of stress, which contributes to a feeling of burden. The study also recommends that caregivers be given training on psychoeducation basics and made aware of what they might face in the unexpected situation from their sick relatives and where they may get help. Caregivers could also benefit from community resources for practical and emotional support. Advocacy for a new approach and policy change is needed for caregivers’ roles to get more help and support carrying their responsibilities for loved ones with mental illnesses.