Family Perspectives Related to Caring for Mental Health Care Users: A Case Study in the Long-Term Mental Health Institutions of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Nkhensani F. Mabunda, Mutshinyalo L. Mangena-Netshikweta, Rachel T. Lebese and Foluke C. Olaniyi ()
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Nkhensani F. Mabunda: Department of Advanced Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
Mutshinyalo L. Mangena-Netshikweta: Department of Advanced Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
Rachel T. Lebese: Research Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
Foluke C. Olaniyi: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 17, 1-9

Abstract: Family involvement in long-term mental health care is a significant therapeutic aspect in managing mentally ill patients. This study aimed to determine the perspectives of family members about caring for mental health care users at selected long-term mental health institutions in Limpopo Province. A qualitative explorative and contextual descriptive design was used. Purposive sampling was used to select family members with mental health care users admitted in long-term health institutions in Limpopo Province. Data were collected with in-depth individual interviews aided by an audio recorder and field notes. Data were qualitatively analysed. Trustworthiness and ethical considerations were ensured. Two themes yielded from the interviews: Perspectives of family members about their involvement in the care of mental health care users and difficulties in caring for mental health care users at home when granted leave of absence or discharged. Sub-themes: Caring for mental health care users leads to an understanding of mental illness; Lack of skill and inability to monitor mental health care users at home; Mental health care users abuse substances during leave of absence which makes family reluctant to request them for visit; Caring for mental health care users at home viewed as a difficult task and stigma from the community. The challenges experienced by family members contribute to poor interaction with mentally ill patients. We recommend that family members of mental health care users be educated about mental illnesses and encouraged to participate in the care of the patients.

Keywords: family perspectives; mental health care users; substance abuse; mental health stigmatization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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