A Study on How Families Intervene in Trying to Help a Relative with Mental Illness: A Case of Bindura Urban · Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Author

Masawi, Ivan

Title

A Study on How Families Intervene in Trying to Help a Relative with Mental Illness: A Case of Bindura Urban

Abstract

Mental illness worldwide presents psychological and financial challenges. In developing countries financial problems are exacerbated by poverty. Different families across the globe resort to different mechanisms in coping with the illness of their loved one. The used mechanisms are popular; traditional way, medical way. The aim of the study was investigate how families intervene in helping a relative with mental illness in Chipadze and Aerodrome, Bindura. A snowball sample of 7 (seven) family members from three families partook in semi-structured interviews conducted in their homes. Sample of two key informants was purposefully selected from Annexe Parirenyatwa Hospital. Content analysis was used for analyzing data after presenting the data on Microsoft excel, making use of codes, categories and themes. Families respond to mental illness either through medical way or traditional, but some use both simultaneously and usually it will be out of desperation stemming from when their loved one with mental illness will become better or normal. In this regard a comprehensive definition of mental illness should encompass psychological state and interpretations drawn from cultural beliefs. For example 43% of the respondents view mental illness as stemming from practices of witchcraft and avenging spirits. One can therefore say mental illness varies from family to family as indicated above that one respondent from the mentioned 43% expressed that we cannot categorize my father as a psychiatric person because his episodes occur after long periods of time. Stress is usually associated with the absence of the ill without the knowledge of the family and when our loved will get back to their normal state of functioning. It is burdensome for families to care for relatives with mental illness as special care is required in terms of supervision on the behavior exhibited and administering drugs or consulting traditional healers. It is associated with psychological and financial problems. It is important that government and relevant authorities assist caregivers so that they cope better with the illness. However, further research is needed especially considering the sample size. Large samples are needed so that the findings can be safely generalized to the whole Zimbabwean population.

Date

2022

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Mental illness

Supervisor

N/A