Mid Sweden University

Studies have shown that the quality of the relationship between siblings has great significance for the mentally ill sibling’s overall quality of life. Sibling relationships may be particularly impor- tant because few adults with severe mental illness have children. As parents grow older, adult children are expected to support their sibling with mental illness when their parents are no longer able to do so. The sibling relationship has the potential to be one of the most significant relationships for adults with schizophrenia. The aim of this paper is to present a case study of a sister’s experiences and needs in her contact with psychiatric care. This single case study was designed and the informant was recruited be- cause of her value in maximizing what we can learn about being a sibling to a person with mental illness. Data were collected through four in-depth, semi-structured, repeated interviews during a two-year period, and were interpreted and analyzed through content analysis. Three major topics were discussed: 1) Anna’s brother’s time with formal psychiatric care; 2) Anna’s feel- ings and emotions; and 3) Anna’s view of her contact with psychiatric care. The findings indicated a sibling’s need for attention, support, and understanding from the formal caregivers. Participation in our study was one of the first opportunities she had to talk about her relationship with formal psychiatric care. An open dialogue may help siblings to manage their situations. 

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this study was to describe the experience of contact with formal psychiatric care, as narrated by family members of a person suffering from mental illness. Method The study was based on a qualitative design. Focus-groups with 16 family members were transcribed and interpreted using qualitative content analysis. Findings The findings present four themes; being disappointed with formal psychiatric care, being in need of understanding from and collaboration with formal psychiatric care, being positive about the care and the own contribution to the care and being subjected to preconceived ideas. The findings were interpreted as the families� relationship with formal psychiatric care being characterized by a struggle for power. Conclusion To create a healthy situation for the families and thereby improve the situation for the patient, representatives of formal care should carefully consider how the families should be involved. Key words Family, focus groups, mental health, nursing, qualitative research

AIMS: The aim of this study is to examine nurses' view of the family in psychiatric care. BACKGROUND: The families of people who are mentally ill carry a heavy burden. Research has shown that they experience sorrow, shame and guilt. They are often involved in informal caring and there is evidence of families playing an important role in the recovery of the patient. In spite of this, a great deal could still be made to create more family-oriented care. This development depends to a large extent on nurses' view of involving families in the care and the perceived value of family-oriented work. METHOD: Four focus groups, with four to six carers in each group, were conducted. The recorded focus groups lasted 75-90 minutes and the data were transcribed and interpreted using content analysis. RESULTS: The results present four themes: compassion for and understanding of close relatives, the carer as the recipient of negative feelings, difficulties and dilemmas in the meeting with close relatives and preconceptions of mental illnesses in the family and in society. The results were interpreted as meaning that the carers found themselves in something that can be described as a double-bind situation. CONCLUSION: From analysis and interpretation, the conclusion is drawn that improved communication between nurses, patients and families could be a way to resolve the double-bind situation. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: To promote family health and also improve things for the patient, it can be argued, from the results of this study, that nurses should carefully consider whether and how to involve family members in care.