Citation

Sibeko G, Milligan PD, Temmingh H, Lund C, Stein DJ, Mall S. Int. J. Soc. Psychiatry 2016; 62(6): 512-521.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0020764016651458

PMID

27282176

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Our study explores perceptions of the caregiver support for mental health service users (MHSUs) in a low- to middle-income country setting. MATERIALS: We conducted in-depth individual interviews with 16 MHSUs and their treatment partners/caregivers from a treatment partner and text-message intervention study.

DISCUSSION: Treatment partners/caregivers felt obligated to care for MHSUs, but had a limited understanding of mental illness. They found supporting adherence to treatment difficult due to a number of factors including violence, food insecurity and substance abuse.

CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic and environmental factors affecting the lives of MHSUs have impact on caregiver relationships with MHSUs in their care.

© The Author(s) 2016.

Language: en