Life-sharing experiences of relatives of persons with severe mental illness - a phenomenographic study

Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences
Bente M WeimandBirgitta Hedelin

Abstract

Relatives of those suffering from severe mental illness experience multiple challenges and a complex life situation. The aim of this study was to describe life-sharing experiences from the perspective of relatives of someone with severe mental illness. A qualitative, descriptive study was performed, and interviews were carried out with eighteen relatives of persons with severe mental illness. A phenomenographic analysis, according to the steps described by Dahlgren and Fallsberg, was used to describe the relatives' conceptions of their situation. The findings show that the experiences of these relatives can be summarized in one main category: 'The art of balancing between multiple concerns'. Two descriptive categories emerged: 'Making choices on behalf of others and oneself' and 'Constantly struggling between opposing feelings and between reflections'. Relatives report that they have to manoeuvre between different ways to act and to prioritize between different wishes and needs. In addition, they face a wide range of strong feelings and they search for hope and meaning. Relatives of someone with severe mental illness have to balance multiple concerns, which induce ethical dilemmas. They felt love, compassion or sense of duty to...Continue Reading

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Citations

Feb 6, 2016·Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences·A W C PoonL Joubert
Apr 29, 2015·Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences·Frode SkorpenArne Rehnsfeldt
Mar 21, 2017·International Journal of Mental Health Nursing·David Wasley, Samantha Eden
Apr 13, 2018·Issues in Mental Health Nursing·Mohammad AkbariMichelle Cleary
Jan 10, 2018·Qualitative Health Research·Reidun NorvollHilde Lindemann
Sep 8, 2018·International Journal of Mental Health Nursing·Kim FosterJoanne Nicholson
Oct 12, 2013·Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences·Hege Skundberg-KletthagenBirgitta Hedelin
Sep 11, 2019·Nursing Ethics·Elin Håkonsen MartinsenReidun Norvoll
Nov 25, 2016·BMC Medical Ethics·Reidun FørdeReidar Pedersen
Jul 2, 2020·Issues in Mental Health Nursing·Lisbeth Kjelsrud AassØyfrid Larsen Moen
Feb 17, 2021·Community Mental Health Journal·Kia J Bentley, Rhonda Thissen
Oct 11, 2021·BMC Health Services Research·Darryl MayberyAndrea Reupert

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