The experiences of parents as caregivers of adolescents with mental illnesses, the impact of the crisis and the admission to a day hospital

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze the caregiving experience of parents whose adolescent children with a mental illness require admission to a day treatment hospital for mental health services.

Method: The study used qualitative interpretative research methods. A total of 18 parents participated in the semi-structured interviews. Data were then transcribed and analyzed in accordance with established methods for the analysis of inductive thematic data.

Results: Seven themes were identified: questioning an unseen disease, abnormal behavior, a long road, truancy and loss of parental authority, internalized stigma on admission, regaining the meaning of life and an uncertain future.

Discussion: The experience of the parents was analyzed and various emotional, psychological and interpersonal barriers were found that influenced the help-seeking for the adolescent's treatment.

Implications for practice: Nursing interventions should be based on detecting barriers and validating the experience of parents with mentally ill adolescents.

Keywords: Adolescent; Mental illness; Partial hospital; Phenomenology; Psychiatric nursing; Qualitative study; parents' experiences.