You are here

Family Caregiving in Mental Illness
Share

Family Caregiving in Mental Illness


Volume: 7
Other Titles in:
Aging & Gerontology

272 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
With the trend of deinstitutionalization, family members are finding themselves increasingly in the position of primary caregivers to mentally ill adults - a role for which they are often untrained and unprepared. This volume explores the experiences of these caregivers.

The author: discusses the characteristics and conceptual models related to mental illness; surveys the experience of mental illness in the context of the family life cycle and developmental stages of the illness; appraises the burdens on the family including social stigma, refusal of treatment, stress and the relationship between the mentally ill and caregivers within the family; and reviews family responses including coping strategies and professional and nonclinical services available to families.

In addition, cultural factors affecting family caregiving are related in an international context. Legal and ethical barriers to care are looked at in detail, as are alternative models of family caregiving, including the growth of consumer-run services.

 
PART ONE: INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
 
Mental Illness and Caregiving Needs
An Introduction

 
 
Historical Overview of Family Caregiving
 
PART TWO: THE UNIQUE BACKGROUND OF MENTAL ILLNESS
 
Defining Mental Illness
Historical and Cultural Influences

 
 
Conceptual Models of Mental Illness
 
Research on Family Theories
 
PART THREE: EXPERIENCING MENTAL ILLNESS IN THE FAMILY
 
Caregiver Stress and Dimensions of Family Burden
 
Caregiving during the Family Life Cycle
The Life Cycle of the Person with Mental Illness

 
 
Caregiving during the Family Life Cycle
The Life Cycle of the Caregivers

 
 
Families' Coping Strategies
 
Services for Families
 
PART FOUR: THE SOCIAL CONTEXT: THE FUTURE OF FAMILY CAREGIVING
 
Cross-Cultural Issues in Family Caregiving
 
The Effects of Advocacy Movements on Caregivers
 
Patients' Rights versus Treatment Needs
The Family Dilemma

 
 
Social Change, Mental Health Policy, and Future Directions

Harriet P. Lefley