title: A theory of meaning of caregiving for parents of mentally ill children in Taiwan, a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to generate a theory of meaning of care-giving for parents of mentally ill children in Taiwan.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Studies indicate that the meaning of care-giving plays an important role in the psychological adjustment of care-givers to care-giving. With a positive meaning of care-giving, care-givers can accept their roles and adapt to them more readily.
  
  
  METHODS
  The research employs the qualitative method of grounded theory, the inquiry is based on symbolic interactionism.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty parental care-givers of children with schizophrenia were recruited at a private hospital in central Taiwan. Semi-structured interviews were conducted. A comparative method was used to analyse the text and field notes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Responsibility (zeren) emerges as the core category or concept. Responsibility expresses broadly the behavioural principles that are culturally prescribed and centred on familial ethics and values. Related concepts and principles that influence caregiver actions and affections include a return of karma, challenges from local gods and fate. By maintaining their culturally prescribed interpretations of care-giving, parents hope to give care indefinitely without complaints.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings clearly suggest that the meaning of care-giving is determined through a process of internal debate that is shaped by culturally specific concepts. The paper attempts to explain some of these culturally specific determinants and explanations of care-giving behaviour.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The theory contributes knowledge about the meaning of care-giving for parents of mentally ill children in Taiwan. It should be useful reference for mental health professionals, who provide counselling services to ethnically Taiwanese care-givers.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wen-Jiuan
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.forename: Ching-Hwa
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Teng
authors.forename: Xuan-Yi
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Wei-Fen
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Sheuan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hsiu-Chih
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Tseng
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D019989:Persons with Intellectual Disabilities; D012559:Schizophrenia; D013624:Taiwan