The Lived Experiences of Primary Caregivers who Care the People Living with Schizophrenia

• Main Authors: Yu-Hui, Ku, 辜矞卉
• Other Authors: Rei-Mei, Hong
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2016
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/86075733013723635151

碩士 === 長庚科技大學 === 護理研究所在職專班 === 104 === According to 2013 National Health Insurance, schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder that affects 0.52% of Taiwan population. According to WHO, Schizophrenia is the fifth leading cause of overall burden disease which generally affects patients’ long-term quality of life. Schizophrenia is a chronic disease and generally causes a high degree of disability. As a result of the government’s deinstitutionalization policy, large numbers of family members whose individual with schizophrenia has become a catastrophe. It is important to explore the lived experience of primary caregivers who care the people living with schizophrenia in Taiwan. A phenomenological approach was the theoretical framework for this study. The study used purposive sampling to select those participants who were the primary family members caring for the patients with schizophrenia. Two face-to-face audio-taped in-depth interviews were held to explore the lived experiences of primary caregivers who cared the people living with schizophrenia. Seven family members caring for their individuals with schizophrenia were selected. Two interviews lasted for one to two hours were conducted. Six major themes were identified from Giorgi's analysis method： (a)“ Ignorant illness and lifetime symptom ”; (b)“ Changing mind and seeking help ”; (c)“ Feeling burden and painful ”;(d) “Feeing stigma and discrimination everywhere ”; (e) “ Fighting with difficulty and believing in faith” ; and (f) “ Reviewing the left and looking forward to the future”. The findings of this study had the potential to make significant contributions to extant knowledge concerning the lived experiences and clarify the difficult situation and the needs among family members whose individuals with schizophrenia. The authors hope the findings can help professionals and schizophrenic patients and their family toward a better caring and social support in the future.