'From my point of view, my wife has recovered': A qualitative investigation of caregivers' perceptions of recovery and peer support services for people with bipolar disorder in a Chinese community. (June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yuen, Winnie WY; Tse, Samson; Murray, Greg; Davidson, Larry
• Is Part Of: International journal of social psychiatry. Volume 65:Number 4(2019)
• Page Start: 305
• Page End: 312
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Subjects: Family -- mental health services -- peer supporters -- psychiatric rehabilitation -- recovery; Social psychiatry -- Periodicals; 362.205
• DOI: 10.1177/0020764019842287
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7640

Abstract

Background: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic mental disorder, and family members play a key role in taking care of the affected individuals. The recovery movement has gradually transformed mental health services, for example, through the introduction of peer support services (sharing of expert-by-experience knowledge), and it has challenged the prevailing view that people with mental illness cannot recover. Aims: Through this study, the researchers explored how family caregivers in a Chinese context conceptualise recovery, how caregivers interact with peer support workers (PSWs) and how they perceive peer support services. Methods: Fourteen family caregivers from community settings participated in individual semi-structured interviews. The data were analysed through thematic analysis. Results: Family caregivers had multifaceted definitions of recovery and had various degrees of contact with PSWs. The views and experiences shared by PSWs were hope-instilling for caregivers and changed their perception of BD and their loved ones. Some limitations of PSWs were also identified. Conclusion: Social connectedness and functional outcomes were important indicators of recovery among Chinese family caregivers. Caregivers began to understand the benefits of PSWs after experiencing their services. Peer-led services could be a helpful support for both service users and family caregivers.