What is the lived experience of relatives who have a family member suffering from schizophrenia? : a qualitative study

Abstract

The research question of this study is: "What is the lived experience of relatives who have a family member suffering from schizophrenia?" The study attempted to explore in depth the experience of schizophrenia from the relatives' perspective. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used as the methodology of this study. Six participants took part in in-depth interviews whose purpose was to extract the main themes of the phenomenon. Three superordinate ordinate themes emerged: (a) A life transformed; (b) Fear of becoming ill and; (c) Surviving through strategies: How relative cope with the experience. This study can hopefully inform health care providers, to re-evaluate existing services for assisting individuals to cope better with having a relative suffering from schizophrenia.