Kontakt 2024, 26(1):83-88 | DOI: 10.32725/kont.2024.007

"Being a caregiver has changed my life": the experience of family caregivers caring for a loved one in the first episode of psychosisSocial Sciences in Health - Original article

Andi Buanasari1, *, Ralph Kairupan2, Asep Rahman3, Hendro Joli Bidjuni1, Novena Paulicia Pontoh1
1 Sam Ratulangi University, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing Department, Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
2 Sam Ratulangi University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
3 Sam Ratulangi University, Faculty of Public Health, Department of Public Health Sciences, Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Aim: Distress and confusion when caring for patients in the First Episode of Psychosis (FEP) will affect family caregiving roles and quality of life. The aim of this study was to explore caregivers' experiences in caring for patients in the FEP.

Design: A qualitative design with a phenomenological approach was conducted to uncover the uniqueness of each individual's experience.

Methods: Participant selection was conducted through purposive sampling, involving 12 family caregivers. Data collection was carried out through in-depth interviews and then analyzed using the Content Analysis method.

Results: Caregivers expressed responses in the form of blaming, Expressed Emotion (EE) responses, and help-seeking responses, with most participants combining alternative and medical treatments. Financial issues, psychological issues, perceived stigma, and disruptions in daily activities were changes caregivers experienced while providing care. However, caregivers found strength from internal motivation through prayer and external support from neighbors, extended family, and local government.

Conclusion: Participants experienced distress and changes in various aspects of their lives when caring for family members in the first episode of psychosis. Education and family intervention are essential to address the needs of families, including their psychological needs.

Keywords: Family caregivers; First-episode psychosis; Phenomenology; Psychosis
Grants and funding:

Financial support for this work was provided by the Grant from The Institute for Research and Community Services of Sam Ratulangi University, Indonesia (Grant No: 226/UN12.13/LT/2023).

Conflicts of interest:

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Received: November 13, 2023; Revised: January 23, 2024; Accepted: February 12, 2024; Prepublished online: February 12, 2024; Published: March 15, 2024  Show citation

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Buanasari A, Kairupan R, Rahman A, Joli Bidjuni H, Paulicia Pontoh N. "Being a caregiver has changed my life": the experience of family caregivers caring for a loved one in the first episode of psychosis. Kontakt. 2024;26(1):83-88. doi: 10.32725/kont.2024.007.
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