Common lived experiences of Iranian families with mentally ill patient: a phenomenological study

This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to determine common lived experiences of Iranian families with mentally ill patient. 176 Participants comprising of 31 mentally ill patients and their immediate family members who lived with them were selected by purposive sampling. In this research, for data collection, open ended questions in the form of semi structured interview with mentally ill patients and focus groups for each their family members were recorded by audio tape recorder. Then after transcription, the data were analyzed by Giorgi method. Results that reflect experiences of families with mentally ill patient were classified in five categories: reaction to mental illness, objective effects of mental diseases, subjective effects of mental disorders, experiences about treatment of psychiatric diseases and experiences about care of mental disorders. These results showed inadequate knowledge and unscientific attitude about mental disorders, psychological pressure , guilty feeling , shame, denial , economic alteration , personal habits shift , social relationship disturbance and negative effects on health and occupation , worry about future, inappropriate coping strategies, family dynamism interruption and no comprehension in treatment. These results emphasize the gravity of the problem, necessitating the designing of comprehensive care model, a need to provide appropriate education and support for families with mentally ill patient.

phenomenology, lived experiences, family, mentally ill patient, Iran