Degree

BS (Social Sciences & Liberal Arts)

Faculty / School

School of Economics and Social Sciences (SESS)

Department

Department of Social Sciences & Liberal Arts

Date of Award

Spring 2024

Date of Submission

2024-09-13

Advisor

Dr. Saima Bint-E-Saif, Assistant Professor, Department of SSLA

Project Type

SSLA Culminating Experience

Access Type

Restricted Access

Keywords

Caregivers, Objective Burden, Subjective Burden, Possession, Bipolar, Schizophrenia

Abstract

A review of academic literature depicted that caregivers feel burnt out, have a poor quality of life (QoL), and experience extreme stress, anxiety, frustration, fatigue, anger, loneliness, and guilt. This research project is a comparative analysis between the burdens of primary family caregivers who attribute their relative's condition to a mental illness (Group 1) v/s those who attribute it to jinn possession (Group 2). The research also focuses on coping strategies used by these two groups. While most available studies focus on the caregiving of mentally struggling patients, there is a notable lack of research that addresses the experiences of caregivers of possessed individuals.

To address this gap, eight semi-structured interviews in Karachi, Pakistan were conducted to gather in-depth qualitative data about the lived experiences of these caregivers. A narrative thematic analysis approach was used to identify key factors that influence caregiver experiences. These included the objective burden (financial and physical burden) and subjective burden (shame and embarrassment and psychological toll). The research revealed the similarities in caregiving experiences such as the use of religion as a coping mechanism and that family members provide economic and domestic support to reduce the primary caregivers’ burden.

The findings revealed that both groups experience caregiver burden albeit for different reasons. Caregivers from Group 1 experienced higher financial and emotional stress due to societal stigma, physical exhaustion, and the chronic and severe symptoms of bipolar and schizophrenia. Caregivers in Group 2 faced little to no financial burden however their emotional stress stems from spiritual concerns, fear of social isolation, and several responsibilities due to their multiple roles. The emotional toll is still significant, but it may manifest differently due to the belief in possession.

Pages

7, 47

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