Phenomenological study on common experiences of families with mentally ill patient

Objectives: This qualitative research was carried out to determine common lived experiences of families with mentally ill patient. Materials and Methods: Participants in this phenomenological study were 31 mentally ill patients and their immediate family members who lived with them and were selected by goal-oriented sampling. In this research, for data collection, open ended questions in the form of semi structured interview with the participants were recorded by audio tape recorder. Then after transcription of the interviews, the data were analyzed by Giorgi method. Results: Results that reflect experiences of families with mentally ill patient were classified in following 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. Conclusion: Attention to these results will lead to importance of education and support of families with mentally ill patient and development of culture about psychiatric disorders.

phenomenology, lived experiences, family, mentally ill patient