Family Caregiving in Mental Illness

by Harriet P. Lefley

Overview

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

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780803957213
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	01/19/1996
Series:	Family Caregiver Applications series , #7
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.61(d)

Table of Contents

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

Editorial Reviews

An introduction, overview, and description of mental illness is followed by chapters addressing the experience of mental illness in the context of the family life cycle and developmental stages of the illness. Also covered are the various aspects of family burden, the relationship between patient and caregiver, alternative models to family caregiving, and other topics. Paper edition (unseen), $22.50. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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