An Explorative Study on the Role of Family Members in Caring for Mental Health Care Users in South Africa.
Mihloti Eunice Shimange, Hilda Nwamuhohova Shilubane, Tinyiko Nelly Rikhotso
PMID 40022569WHAT IT FOUND
Family caregivers of people with mental illness struggle to ensure treatment adherence and hygiene, often lacking knowledge about causes and side effects.
They reported stigma and insufficient support from nurses after discharge, leaving them isolated and fearful of relapse.
Key findings
01Caregivers monitored medication intake but often did not verify if it was swallowed, and prepared meals to encourage treatment, though some patients refused medication.
02Participants reported a knowledge deficit regarding mental illness causes, attributing it to witchcraft or birth issues, and held myths that medication caused awkward behaviours or was ineffective.
03Caregivers faced challenges including lack of follow-up visits from psychiatric nurses after discharge, stigma from the community, and family members refusing to participate in care.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study only included family members who visited patients in hospital, excluding those who did not, which may bias the perspective towards more engaged caregivers. The sample size was small (13 participants) and limited to one province in South Africa, reducing generalisability. Participants were predominantly female, so the findings may not reflect the experiences of male caregivers.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these findings as evidence that current nursing practices are failing or that specific interventions are needed; this is a descriptive study of caregiver experiences and perceptions, not an evaluation of clinical outcomes or treatment efficacy.