Narratives of mothers taking care of an offspring with Schizophrenia

Abstract

Background: Schizophrenia is a severe form of mental illness that affects many individuals. Research has especially indicated that mothers tend to assume the primary caregiving role. Holm (1993) stated, mother's identity develops throughout life and she has to face new challenges in line with the child's development.

Purpose of the Study: This study aimed to collect the narratives of selected Ilonggo mothers on giving care to their offspring with Schizophrenia and to synthesize their experiences based on their stories.

Methodology: This qualitative research utilized narrative-based approach. The key informants were eight mothers taking care of an offspring with Schizophrenia. The purposive sampling was employed through correspondence with Resident Physicians in Psychiatry of West Visayas State University-Medical Center as gatekeepers. Researcher-made guide questions duly validated were utilized in a semi-structures interview. Approval from West Visayas State University Unified Bio-medical Research Ethics Review Committee was granted. The study was conducted in two phases: the preliminary phase (Phase I) involves data gathering and the final phase (Phase II) focus on analysis.

Findings: Maintenance of life of the affected child was the caring routine of the mother. Exchange of support includes the financial sources mainly from the family members and the government. Stressful situations include financial constraints and limited government support. Compassion is the fuel which drives the mother to take care her child.

Recommendations: Financial support from the government should be implemented as well as emotional support from the primary healthcare providers. Nursing programs in the undergraduate level should also include the primary caregivers of patients diagnosed with Schizophrenia as part of the related learning experience (RLE)