title: Support for young informal carers of persons with mental illness: a mixed-method study.
abstract: The aim of this study was to explore how young (16-25 year old) informal carers of a person with a mental illness experience and use support. In a mixed method approach, we interviewed 12 young carers, and 241 completed a self-administered questionnaire. While the young carers strive to maintain control, their main support seems to be others in their lives, who often define the situation differently. The carers said web-support, counseling, and group counseling might be helpful, yet very few had any professional support. Young carers are greatly in need of support and it should be provided.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden. lilas.ali@gu.se
authors.forename: Lilas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Britt Hedman
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Ahlström
authors.forename: Barbro
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Krevers
authors.forename: Nils
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sjöström
authors.forename: Ingela
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Skärsäter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D005791:Patient Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D055815:Young Adult