Abstract:
Background: Mental disorders represent a significant global and national public health
concern, affecting millions of individuals worldwide Mental illness may cause a variety
of problems such as experience psychological distress, social isolation, financial strain,
and reduced quality of life due to caregiving responsibilities of the patient’s family
members as well as increased social distance for the patient and the family caring for
the patient.
Aim: To explore the psychological functioning and occupational participation of
caregivers of individuals with mental illness and how caregiving influences their daily
occupational participation.
Methods: This study was designed using a qualitative, phenomenological approach.
Participants were recruited from the National Institute of Mental Health and Hospital.
Data gathered from twelve family caregivers among individuals with mental illness
involved conducting in-depth face-to-face interviews using semi-structured interview
guidelines and the age of the caregiver above 18. The sample size was based on
achieving data saturation. The study employed audio-recording techniques to capture
first-person narratives in Bangla, which were transcribed and translated into English.
The present study integrated thematic analysis, utilizing Braun and Clark's six-step
approach.
Result: Four main themes emerged with emotional and psychological burden, physical
health and self-care impact, disruption in daily functioning and finances, and changes
in social relationships, identity, and coping. This study shows caregivers experienced
persistent emotional distress, physical exhaustion, reduced occupational participation,
financial strain, and social isolation. Despite these challenges, caregivers relied on
coping strategies such as religious faith, acceptance, and emotional endurance, which
helped them continue caregiving but did not substantially reduce the overall burden.
Conclusion: Family caregivers of individuals with mental illness experience significant
psychological, physical, social, and occupational challenges. Although coping
strategies support endurance, the findings underscore the urgent need for caregiver
centered mental health services, psychosocial support, respite care, and policy-level
interventions to address caregivers’ psychological functioning and occupational
participation.
Keywords: Caregivers, Mental Illness, Psychological Functioning, Occupational
Participation, Caregiver Burden
Description:
This dissertation is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Occupational therapy, Bangladesh Health Professions Institute, Faculty of Medicine, the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
