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

Committee

Dr. Shameel Khan, Consultant Psychiatrist, Compassion Couch; Co-Founder & Director Synapse Karachi

Project Type

SSLA Culminating Experience

Access Type

Restricted Access

Keywords

Schizophrenia, Caregiving, Spouse, Objective burden, Subjective burden.

Abstract

This research explores the objective and subjective burden experienced by spousal caregivers of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia within the Pakistani cultural context. Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that affects not only patients but also their primary caregivers, such as parents, siblings, and spouses. While most available research focuses on parental experiences, there is a notable lack of studies specifically addressing the experiences of spousal caregivers.

To address this gap, semi-structured interviews were used to qualitatively delve into the lived experiences of six spousal caregivers. These in-depth interviews revealed important insights into how the caregiving role affects individuals' emotional, social, and financial well-being. The Family Systems Theory and Stress-Appraisal-Coping Theory were utilized as analytical frameworks to understand the burdens faced by caregivers and the subsequent impact on their well-being.

A hybrid thematic analysis approach, combining inductive and deductive methods, was used to identify key factors influencing caregiver experiences. These included the societal stigma surrounding mental illness in Pakistan, the concealment of a spouse's condition during marriage, and the impact of caregiving on marital relationships and family dynamics. The study also touched upon the differences in caregiving experiences based on gender and socio-economic status.

The findings emphasize the need for culturally sensitive support systems, such as support groups and enhanced psychoeducation services, to help alleviate the burdens faced by spousal caregivers. Future research should explore this topic within the Pakistani context with a larger sample size, considering gender differences, socio-economic class, and specific age groups

Pages

9, 107

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