Toward a theory of professional support for parents of young adult schizophrenics

This research project is viewed as one step in the development of a theory of professional support for families of chronically mentally ill patients. The clinical problem for this project concerns the reality that parents of young adult schizophrenics have a role as primary caregivers; however, they live with enormous psychological, social, and economic stresses and lack sufficient information and skill to manage systems and behaviors effectively. Parents often lack sufficient social support for themselves to alleviate their own distress, which interferes with their ability as caregivers. The above information was available from surveys of members of family support groups. The research problem was that not enough is know about the experience over time of parents who do not tend to join support groups. In order to suggest a theory of professional support, more specific information on what types of help for which types of problems at what stages of this chronic disease was needed. Professional support by psychiatric mental health nurses and other mental health professionals might distress experienced by parents and assist parent to provide more effective support for their young adult. Parents of young adult schizophrenics were asked about their experience with potentially supportive people, including nurses and other professionals. The subject described experience in their own words during interviews conducted at their homes. The findings indicate the parents need additional information and professional support in order to be more effective caregivers. The elements of professional support for parents which are recommended include: (1) a continual professional relationship with parents from the onset of the disease, (2) an esteem for and recognition of parents as a primary caregiver with mutual obligations in the treatment process, and (3) a process of informing parents about the disease, behavior management, and medications which may enable parent to gain more control of stressful situations and become more effective decision-makers.