Abstract:
Background: It is estimated that world-wide up to 20 % of children suffer from debilitating mental illness. Mental
disorders that pose a significant concern include learning disorders, hyperkinetic disorders (ADHD), depression,
psychosis, pervasive development disorders, attachment disorders, anxiety disorders, conduct disorder, substance
abuse and eating disorders. Living with such children can be very stressful for caregivers in the family. Therefore,
determination of challenges of living with these children is important in the process of finding ways to help or
support caregivers to provide proper care for their children. The purpose of this study was to explore the
psychological and emotional, social, and economic challenges that parents or guardians experience when caring for
mentally ill children and what they do to address or deal with them.
Methodology: A qualitative study design using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions was applied. The
study was conducted at the psychiatric unit of Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania. Two focus groups
discussions (FGDs) and 8 in-depth interviews were conducted with caregivers who attended the psychiatric clinic
with their children. Data analysis was done using content analysis.
Results: The study revealed psychological and emotional, social, and economic challenges caregivers endure while
living with mentally ill children. Psychological and emotional challenges included being stressed by caring tasks and
having worries about the present and future life of their children. They had feelings of sadness, and inner pain or
bitterness due to the disturbing behaviour of the children. They also experienced some communication problems
with their children due to their inability to talk. Social challenges were inadequate social services for their children,
stigma, burden of caring task, lack of public awareness of mental illness, lack of social support, and problems with
social life. The economic challenges were poverty, child care interfering with various income generating activities in
the family, and extra expenses associated with the child’s illness.
Conclusion: Caregivers of mentally ill children experience various psychological and emotional, social, and
economic challenges. Professional assistance, public awareness of mental illnesses in children, social support by the
government, private sector, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are important in addressing these
challenges.
