Challenges experienced by South African families caring for state patients on leave of absence

• Published in: The South African journal of psychiatry Vol. 26; p. 1453
• Main Authors: Mothwa, Nchaesa G, Moagi, Miriam M, van der Wath, Anna E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: South Africa South African Sports Medicine Association 2020; AOSIS
• Subjects: burden of care; Care and treatment; families of forensic patients; Family; Family relations; forensic patients; Health aspects; Leaves of absence; Medical law; Mental disorders; mental health; Mentally ill persons; Original Research; Patient compliance; psychiatry; qualitative inquiry; qualitative inquiryof care; Social aspects; South Africa; forensic patients; psychiatry; qualitative inquiry; burden of care; family; mental health
• ISSN: 1608-9685; 2078-6786
• DOI: 10.4102/SAJPSYCHIATRY.V26I0.1453

Families of state patients experience challenges related to the patient's mental illness and history of criminal behaviour. Family members who act as guardians when patients are on leave of absence take responsibility for the patient's basic needs, activities of daily living and treatment regimen. They need to safeguard the patient from potential self-harm and harming others. Few studies have explored the burden these family members experience.
The aim of this study was to explore and describe the challenges experienced by families caring for mental state patients who are on leave of absence.
An urban area in South Africa.
A qualitative approach was applied to answer the research question, 'what are the challenges experienced by families caring for mental state patients on leave of absence?' A purposive sample of nine participants who were caring for state patients on leave of absence was selected. Individual in-depth interviews were used to collect data. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Ethical considerations and trustworthiness guided the study.
Three themes illustrate the challenges experienced by family members, namely, challenges related to state patient's behaviour, emotional challenges and social challenges. A fourth theme focuses on the ways families used to cope with these challenges.
Mental healthcare professionals may use the results of this study to design therapeutic interventions for family members of state patients who focus on empathetic understanding and the mobilisation of effective coping skills and social support.