Mental health care users’ perspectives of involving family members during hospitalisation in psychiatric hospitals of Limpopo Province

Abstract

Involvement of the family members in mental health care is a significant aspect in the management of mental health care users (MHCUs). Research shows that when family members participate in mental health care, the quality of the service could improve. The study aims to explore and describe the MHCUs’ perspectives of involving their family members during hospitalisation in psychiatric hospitals of Limpopo Province. A qualitative explorative descriptive design was used. The population comprised of MHCUs admitted in long-term mental health institutions. Purposive sampling was used to select six focused group discussions. Tesch’s data analysis steps were used to analyse data. Four themes emerged as follows: experiences of MHCUs related to the attitude of family members towards the provision of care; observation made by MHCUs towards family members and hospital management; knowledge of family members related to care of MHCUs; and challenges resulting from lack of support by family members