Exploring perceptions of sibling relationships affected by schizophrenia in South Africa.

• Main Author: Kallmeyer, Lisa
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: 2011
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10539/9349

Mental illnesses are one of the most widespread conditions that affect universal health, and according to a variety of viewpoints, the family plays an important role in the development and continuation of psychopathology. In particular, a family member’s perceptions of mental illness are important for understanding and intervening in family systems. The diagnosis of schizophrenia often results in devastation, which is experienced by both the person who is mentally ill, as well as the entire family. Of the family members, the most vulnerable and most affected, have been identified to be siblings, thus sibling relationships are substantially affected by such a diagnosis. However this area has received very little attention in previous research. Thus, this study is aimed to contribute to this area of knowledge by utilising a qualitative approach. Interviews were conducted with individuals who had siblings with schizophrenia. The interviews focused on experiences of the sibling relationship as it is affected by schizophrenia. Thematic content analysis of participants’ narratives revealed central themes of factors that impact the relationship, including the redefinition of the family, adjustment, the impact of schizophrenia and interaction with service providers. The theory underlying the understanding of these themes is based upon a developmental and family systemic theoretical framework which was especially beneficial as it focuses on the family as being a transactional system in which individual family members relate reciprocally. The results of this research suggested that various factors affected the sibling relationship. Of these factors, the participant’s understanding of the schizophrenia diagnosis proved to be an especially important factor as it seemed to impact upon the other factors. Significantly, the redefinition of roles that occurred within the family was of importance, as this too impacted upon the sibling relationship.