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

Abstract

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.