Exploring the Psychosocial and Spiritual Experiences of Family Caregivers for Relatives Diagnosed With Bipolar Disorder
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Date
2017-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This research explored the psychosocial and spiritual experiences of family caregivers for relatives diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The research questions, which the study addressed include, the family caregiver’s attitude towards bipolar disorder, how the family caregivers describe their care giving experience, what the challenges are caregivers of people with bipolar encounter in caring for their family member with bipolar disorder, the coping strategies employed by themselves to deal with their challenges, and how they describe their experience regarding the existing services which are available for caregivers.To answer those questions adequately, the researcher employed a qualitative (phenomenological) inquiry with exploratory purpose and cross sectional design. By using non probability, purposive sampling, family caregivers of persons with bipolar disorder were selected for the study. Amanual Mental Specialized Hospital was the site for selecting the study participants. Twenty four family caregivers of persons diagnosed with bipolar disorder participated. The major data collection methods that this study employed in depth interview, focus group discussion, and document analysis. The collected data through in depth interviews and focus group discussions analyzed using the thematic analysis. The finding of the study revealed that family caregivers have no adequate understanding about bipolar disorder, got into different psychosocial and spiritual crisis, different challenges from different dimensions and used different coping mechanisms. Even if they lead a burdensome life, services which are provided for family caregivers are in adequate. The finding also revealed that different family caregivers need supports from any concerned bodies.Based on the findings, the study have implications on professional practice, education, research and policy and program
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Keywords
Caregiver; Bipolar disorder; Mental disorder