Development of a psychoeducational program for family members caring for mental health care users in Vhembe district in Limpopo province

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of mental illness is rising in all regions of the world. There is an increased need for family caregiving in South Africa due to deinstitutionalization that leads to a reduction of in-patient psychiatric beds. This means a shift of responsibility from clinicians to families, who may not have the knowledge and psychological skills to undertake this role. The lack of family support programs in the community compromises the well-being of family members. It is in this context that this study seeks to develop a psychoeducational program to support family members caring for mental health care users in the Vhembe district of Limpopo province in South Africa. Aim: The overall aim of this study was to develop a psychoeducational program to support family members caring for mental health care users. Objectives: The first objective was to explore and describe the needs of family members caring for MHCUs, the second objective was to develop a psychoeducational program, and the third objective was to refine and validate the program to support family members caring for MHCUs in Vhembe district, Limpopo province, South Africa. Research design: This study used a multi method design to develop a psychoeducational program to support family members caring for mental health care users in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province. Methods: The study was done in the eight healthcare centers of the Vhembe district in Limpopo province. The study followed a pragmatist approach in three phases. Phase 1: A qualitative, explorative, descriptive, and contextual approach was used to explore the psychosocial support needs of family members, using one-to-one semi-structured interviews. Braun and Clark’s thematic data analysis was employed to analyze qualitative data. Phase 2: A one-day nominal group technique workshop with stakeholders with experience of working with mental health care users and their family members was conducted to develop a psychoeducational program which was guided by the results of phase 1. Thematic data analysis was used to analyze qualitative data and identify themes. Statistical analyses (computing averages) was used to analyze quantitative data. Phase 3: An e-Delphi technique was adopted to refine the psychoeducational program. A questionnaire was developed to gather data from a purposively selected panel of experts in mental health. Consensus was obtained using a Likert scale to evaluate and refine the draft program based on expert panelists’ recommendations in each e-Delphi round. Findings: The findings indicated that family members caring for the MHCUs had many healthcare needs namely, physical, psychological, social, educational and information, financial and spiritual needs. They also indicated their expectations from the healthcare vii system. Conclusion: The findings of the study could assist healthcare providers in addressing the healthcare needs of family members caring for mental healthcare users in order to reduce the burden of care placed on them. The refined psychoeducational program could make a valuable contribution to the well-being of family members and improve their quality of life. The health care providers may incorporate interventions for families in the management protocol. It is recommended that quantitative research be done to determine the healthcare needs of family members caring for MHCUs in bigger populations. Keywords: caring, community health center, family member, mental health care user, mental illness, psychoeducation program.