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Egyptian families caring for a relative with mental illness : A hermeneutic study
Endrawes, Gihane O'Brien, Louise Wilkes, Lesley
Endrawes, Gihane
O'Brien, Louise
Wilkes, Lesley
Abstract
The care of people with mental illness often rests with their families. The way families manage this experience has been explored widely in the literature; however, the added complexity of migration has been given little attention. The difficulty of conducting research with people from non-English-speaking backgrounds often precludes their voices and experiences from being heard, further compounding marginalization and misunderstanding of their needs. The aim of this study was to understand the experience of Egyptian families caring for a relative with mental illness in Australia. Seven participants from Egyptian background, caring for a relative with mental illness, were included in this study. A hermeneutic phenomenological approach, informed by the work of Heidegger, was used. Data were collected through in-depth audio-taped interviews conducted in the Arabic language, which were then translated and transcribed in English. Data analysis revealed five themes: Why did it happen? How do I protect my loved ones? What has it done to me? What has it done to us? How do I survive? Findings of the study have the potential to raise health-care professionals' awareness of the needs of Egyptian families, their beliefs, values, and coping with mental illness.
Keywords
caregiving, Egypt, Egyptian families, mental illness
Date
2007
Type
Journal article
Journal
International Journal of Mental Health Nursing
Book
Volume
16
Issue
6
Page Range
431-440
Article Number
ACU Department
Collections
Relation URI
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled
Notes
© John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.