The lived experience of adults living with family members or partners with depression : implications for counselling

Abstract

This study explored lived experience of adults living with family members and/or with depression. This research explored what these adults go through in their role as caregivers, the emotions they experience, the situations that they come across, and what help do they seek. Having the research being about lived experiences, an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was chosen to carry out this research. Semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded. Five participants took part in this research study. Themes were then emerged from the interviews, and then they were divided into subthemes.

The themes presented the meaning the caregivers give to the depression being experienced by the family members, the emotions that these participants experience, the different roles and responsibilities, the society experience for the caregivers, their quality of life (QoL) and what measure help the caregivers to cope in the situation.

Strengths and limitations, implications for counselling, recommendations for further research, training, and education, as well as practice are included. Recommendations included My learning experience as a researcher is also included within the study.