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Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2021

01-12-2021 | Schizophrenia | Research article

Family achievements in struggling with schizophrenia: life experiences in a qualitative content analysis study in Iran

Authors: Fatemeh Darban, Roghayeh Mehdipour- Rabori, Jamileh Farokhzadian, Esmat Nouhi, Sakineh Sabzevari

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Background

The challenges of living with and taking care of a patient with schizophrenia can lead to positive changes depending on the experiences and reactions of family caregivers. Such changes may directly affect the family performance and the patient’s recovery stage. Present study aimed to explain the positive experiences reported by family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia.

Methods

The present study is a qualitative study of content analysis. Data were collected using semi-structured and in-depth interviews with 15 family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia referring to one of the psychiatric hospitals in Zahedan, Southeast part of Iran. Purposive sampling method was applied and data analysis was conducted using conventional content analysis proposed by Graneheim and Lundman.

Results

Data analysis created a theme entitled “family achievements in struggling with schizophrenia”. This theme included four categories including Developing positive personality traits in family members, Strengthening family ties, developing insight into the life, and social mobility.

Conclusions

The results provided insights that the experience of taking care of patients with schizophrenia led to positive consequences for family caregivers. Thus, it is recommended that psychiatrists or consultants help families rely on positive experiences and share these experiences with families with a newly-suffered patient.
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Metadata
Title
Family achievements in struggling with schizophrenia: life experiences in a qualitative content analysis study in Iran
Authors
Fatemeh Darban
Roghayeh Mehdipour- Rabori
Jamileh Farokhzadian
Esmat Nouhi
Sakineh Sabzevari
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keyword
Schizophrenia
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-03025-w

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