The psychosocial experiences of looking after a child with psychiatric illness and the impact it has on the functioning of black extended families
Abstract
This study is a qualitative study investigating the psychosocial experiences of Black
extended families in caring for a child with psychiatric illness. The focus was on how the
child's illness had an impact on family functioning. The researcher used a case study
method, to investigate this phenomenon. Four case studies, which consisted of four Black
extended families, were selected using purposive sampling. In investigating the
phenomenon, semi-structured interviews and an assessment tool called Family
Assessment Device (FAD) were used to collect data on family functioning. There were
pre-selected themes and specific dimensions (based on the McMaster' s model of family
functioning) that the researcher investigated. The researcher also used systems theory and
cultural factors of Black family systems (as a background theory) and the findings were
analyzed using the pattern matching strategy suggested by Campbell (1975).
Firstly, the researcher found that in all cases, the children had similar behavioural
problems, which was mostly aggression and disruptive behaviour, which resulted in
families seeking help. The findings show that the child's psychiatric problem does, to a
certain extent, impact on the family functioning, as the child's behavioural problem
elicited increased/heightened emotional response by different family members. Looking
after a child with psychiatric problem was found to be time consuming and was a
laborious activity. However the findings show that the structure of Black extended
families which is based (among other things) on the principle of shared responsibility and
complex interpersonal relationships that exists among family members makes it easier to
care and cope for a child with psychiatric illness. Though the findings show that there
were differences in the level of interest and involvement that family members showed
towards the child's problem.
The findings further show that the biological mother was the one who experienced the
most burden and emotional stress as she was expected to take the ultimate responsibility
in controlling the child's behaviour. This reflected the change of the Black extended
families (in the current study) from being purely based on communal support system to
incorporating aspects of individualism in the family system, therefore changing the
functioning and structure of Black extended families as they were previously known
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