Professional views of supporting relatives of mental health clients with severe mental illness

Fredrik Hjärthag, Karin Persson, Karin Ingvarsdotter and Margareta Östman

International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 2017, vol. 63, issue 1, 63-69

Abstract: Background: Supporting families where one person suffers from long-term severe mental illness (SMI) is essential, but seems hard to reach. The aim of this study was to examine professionals’ views of supporting relatives of persons with SMI. Material: Individual interviews mirroring personal narratives and group interviews reflecting group-processed answers were conducted among 23 professionals and analyzed thematically. Results: Three themes emerged: (a) information and group interaction reduces stigma and increases well-being, (b) professionals need to feel secure and confident about how the support structure works and (c) collaboration is difficult but required on several levels. Conclusion: Trusting relationships with families were considered important, although seldom achieved; professionals wished to feel secure in their role toward relatives of a person with SMI; and professionals wanted to feel confident when working together with other services to support families.

Keywords: Severe mental illness; family member; professionals; support; family intervention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:63:y:2017:i:1:p:63-69

DOI: 10.1177/0020764016682268

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