Caregiving for mental health service users: A study exploring the perceptions of mental health service users and their caregivers in Cape Town, South Africa. (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sibeko, Goodman; Milligan, Peter D; Temmingh, Henk; Lund, Crick; Stein, Dan J; Mall, Sumaya
• Is Part Of: International journal of social psychiatry. Volume 62:Number 6(2016)
• Page Start: 512
• Page End: 521
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: Mental health -- caregiving -- caregiver -- treatment partner -- adherence; Social psychiatry -- Periodicals; 362.205
• DOI: 10.1177/0020764016651458
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7640

Abstract

Background: Our study explores perceptions of the caregiver support for mental health service users (MHSUs) in a low- to middle-income country setting. Materials: We conducted in-depth individual interviews with 16 MHSUs and their treatment partners/caregivers from a treatment partner and text-message intervention study. Discussion: Treatment partners/caregivers felt obligated to care for MHSUs, but had a limited understanding of mental illness. They found supporting adherence to treatment difficult due to a number of factors including violence, food insecurity and substance abuse. Conclusion: Socioeconomic and environmental factors affecting the lives of MHSUs have impact on caregiver relationships with MHSUs in their care.