Abstract:
Introduction: Mental illness is the condition affecting more than 450 million people
worldwide. People with mental disorders often cause distress among their family members and
mostly are overwhelmed by the patients' symptoms. Many studies in developed countries have
focused on burden encountered by family members with small attention to psychosocial
impacts and coping skills when caring the patient, and few of these studies have been done in
developing countries. It is expected that this burden is more severe in low-income countries
as it aggravated by poverty consequently families suffer psychologically and socially due to
living with or caring for their relative or family member afflicted by mental illness. This study
explored the psychosocial impacts of family caring a mentally ill patient and the way they
coped with caring situation.
Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the psychosocial impacts and coping
strategies of mental illness on the family members caring a person with psychiatric disorders
in Temeke Municipality, Dar es Salaam.
Method: The study was a descriptive qualitative study where purposive sampling procedure
was used to emol 14 participants and data was collected by focused group discussion and in-
depth interviews. Ethical clearance was granted from MUHAS Ethical Committee. Data
analysis was done by content analysis whereby seven different themes emerged
Results: Seven main themes emerged from this study: Financial constraints, disruption of
family functioning, problems in managing patient's symptom, lack of social support, conflicts
with neighbours, stigma and discrimination and coping and adaptation. These findings
revealed social and psychological problems incurred by families caring patients with mental
illness in Temeke municipal council and thereby has suggested several interventions.
Conclusion: Family caring for person with mental illness has its advantages, yet it has
multiple social and psychological problems and challenges for both family carers and the
mental health professionals. This study has attempted to explore psychosocial problems in
family caring patient with mental illness. The findings offer a direction for family intervention
that acknowledges the need of both the carers and their mentally ill relatives.
