A theory of meaning of caregiving for parents of mentally ill children in Taiwan, a qualitative study.
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.
Yen
Wen-Jiuan
WJ
College of Nursing, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
Teng
Ching-Hwa
CH
Huang
Xuan-Yi
XY
Ma
Wei-Fen
WF
Lee
Sheuan
S
Tseng
Hsiu-Chih
HC
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