The main topic of this graduation thesis are the psychosocial problems of families caring for a relative with mental health problems. The main focus of theoretical part is on how family members adapt to mental health problems of their relative and how those mental problems affect them individually as well as the whole family.
The research was qualitative, empirical and exploratory. In the research I asked participants about the care they provide to a person with mental health problems, about possible changes in their family life and changes they have experienced on a personal level. Furthermore, I asked them about the ways they tried to adapt to the occurrence of mental health problems. Finally, I researched the barriers, hardships and problems they face and the forms and sources of help they used in times of those.
Family members of people with mental health problems report changes on personal and family level. For the most part, family relations deteriorated, due to more frequent conflicts and poorer communication. In some families, however, relations have changed for the better, as there is more cooperation and support among family members, as well as more honesty and communication. Research shows that family roles have also changed, Family members often took over the bulk of the financial care and household chores, with the aim of relieving the relative who struggles with mental health problems. On a personal level, relatives often struggled with negative emotions such as anger, confusion and anxiety. Due to the lack of time and emotional overburden the social life of the relatives drastically changed as well as their hobbies. In addition to the overstrain, family members face several obstacles. They struggle with coordinating obligations, financial overload, and above all lack of assistance and support. Because of that their own mental wellbeing has deteriorated, and they sought help themselves. They encountered several difficulties in doing so, as they lacked knowledge about existing sources of help or the help that they received was insufficient. Furthermore, some found it difficult to talk about their struggles or felt that their struggles are not valid enough for them to receive help. Nonetheless family members often sought help in literature and online, as this type of help was the easiest and fastest. Some also received professional help from psychotherapists, psychiatrists and psychologists, as well as from trusted people such as friends and other relatives. Above all, family members want more support, help and understanding from others. Lastly, they want more knowledge that will enable them to offer appropriate support and help to their relatives in times of mental crisis.
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