A qualitative study of family caregivers'experiences of caring for adolescents with first-episode depression / 中国心理卫生杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the care experience of caregivers of adolescents with first-episode depres-sion.Methods:Nine family caregivers of adolescent with first-episode depression were enrolled.A qualitative re-search was carried out,and semi-structured interviews were performed to investigate the caregivers'opinion of de-pressive disorder,emotional state,caring experiences and dilemma,coping strategy,and support requirements.The data were analyzed,summarized and distilled by using the Colaizzi phenomenological 7-step analysis.Results:Four kinds of first order themes of caring experiences(complex caring experience,heavy burden of care,yearn for sup-port,achieved post-traumatic growth)were extracted,including 10 kinds of second order themes,namely shock and disbelief,pessimism and helplessness,guilt and stigma,inefficient coping strategy,impaired physical and mental health,heavy economic burden,family relationship tension,changed personal role,lack of medical support,dying to be admitted by society.Conclusion:Family caregivers of adolescent with first-episode depression may have obvious negative emotions,which faced with caring dilemma such as impaired health status or heavy economic burden,and urgently need professional resources and social support.