‘I wanted my child dead’ – Physical, social, cognitive, emotional and spiritual life stories of Turkish parents who give care to their children with schizophrenia: A qualitative analysis based on empowerment approach

Abstract

Background: Schizophrenia deeply affects both the lives of patients and their families. The fact that schizophrenic patients in Turkey generally maintain their lives with their families may lead to serious problems for families and parents. Aims: The main purposes of this research are to determine the physical, social, cognitive, emotional and spiritual lives of parents of children with schizophrenia with the main concepts of the empowerment approach. Method: The research was carried out with the qualitative research method. In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 parents in total, that is, 15 mothers and 15 fathers, through semi-structured interview form. Maxqda 2018 was used for the analysis of the research data. Results: According to the research result, it is determined that the parents have problems due to physical, social, cognitive, emotional and spiritual disease process; gender perspective and roles; domestic functionality; social environment, social perception; and issues related to services. Conclusion: Considering the parents who are affected by the disease process which is a particularly quite difficult process and who affect the process, to recognize the situations that lead them to gain strength and that make them powerless in personal, interpersonal and political aspects, to activate the existing resources and to create new resources are highly important factors for them to cope with the disease process effectively.