TABLE 2.

Family caregivers’ experiences for persons living with mental illness.

Themes	Sub-themes
Theme 1: Family caregivers experienced perceived responsibility for caregiving	Family caregivers experienced provision of care Family caregivers experienced role shift Family caregivers experienced altered responsibilities
Theme 2: Family caregivers experienced emotional effect of caregiving	Family caregivers experienced feelings of hopelessness and helplessness Family caregivers experienced feelings of shame and fear Family caregivers experienced feeling of powerlessness
Theme 3: Family caregivers experienced support needs	Family caregivers experienced inadequate informational support Family caregivers experienced ineffective coping Family caregivers experienced societal challenges
Theme 4: Family caregivers experienced changed perspective	Family caregivers experienced effective coping mechanisms Family caregivers’ positive experiences

Source: Adapted from Ntsayagae, E.I., 2017, ‘A psycho-educational programme for caregivers of mentally ill persons to facilitate their mental health’, p. 110, Thesis: D Cur Psychiatric Nursing, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg