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