Loneliness and Family Burden: An Exploratory Investigation on the Emotional Experiences of Caregivers of Patients with Severe Mental Illness
In: Qualitative report: an online journal dedicated to qualitative research and critical inquiry
ISSN: 1052-0147
We present here an exploratory descriptive investigation about the needs of the caregivers of patients with severe mental illness (SMI) referring to a mental health service of a Southern Italian city. Twelve caregivers were queried, as experienced contacts, about their own emotional involvement and their relationship with the patient by means of a semi-structured interview. Interviews were subjected to a qualitative thematic-categorical analysis. The results reveal painful experiences of anguish and feelings of inadequacy stemming from care-giving, which gravely impact the caregivers' personal well-being and family relations.