Caregivers' experience of caring for a family member with schizophrenia in conditions of poverty

The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of South African caregivers caring for a family member with schizophrenia, living in conditions of poverty. Of particular interest in this research was to explore the factors that present challenges to their capacity to care and the factors that facilitate coping. A qualitative methodology was utilized, making use of semi-structured interviews which were conducted with ten caregivers caring for a family member with schizophrenia. Data were analysed using analytic techniques from grounded theory. Six broad themes emerged during analysis, namely: caregivers' assistance with activities of daily living; involvement with illness management; knowledge of illness; consequences of caregiving; coping with care giving; and the impact of poverty on care giving.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Psychology

Year dc:date.issued

2008

Author dc:creator

• Breen, Alison

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Kaminer, Debbie
• Swartz, Leslie

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/10240

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/10240