SELF-CARE EXPERIENCES OF NON-RELAPSED SCHIZOPHRENIA PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS IN A SUB-DISTRICT

Abstract

               Objective: To search for experiences of self-care among non-relapsed schizophrenia patients and caregivers in a sub-district using the Husserlian phenomenology qualitative research methodology.

               Methods: Data were collected from 10 non-relapsed schizophrenia patients and 10 non-relapsed caregivers of patients with schizophrenia by specifically selected sampling. Participation observation and tape recording were used during data collection. The quality of the content validity tool was examined by 3 experts who used interview data to extract the data verbatim, analyzed the data according to Colaizzi’s model, and examined the data by validation method triangular exam.

               Results: The self-care experiences of non-relapsed schizophrenia patients consisted of 7 main issues: 1) self-awareness 2) communication 3) spending free time 4) coping with problems 5) developing a social support system 6) taking care of themselves physically and 7) the practice of religious activities. For the experiences of caregivers of non-relapsed schizophrenia patients, it was found that the way they took care of them to take care themselves well while at home, to be able to do daily routines on their own and to do the household consisted of 5 issues: 1) methods of communication in the family 2) participation in patients care 3) managing when the patients  may suffer from psychotic symptoms 4) methods of becoming non-relapsed and 5) managing stress when the caregivers felt anxiety or faced the problems including having a source of support.

               Conclusion: According to the results, the researcher can understand the self-care experiences of non-relapsed schizophrenia patients and caregivers. From that knowledge, the researcher can apply to develop the appropriate nursing care to reduce the chance of schizophrenia patients relapse.