LIVING WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA: THE FAMILY ILLNESS EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Mental health nurses have the opportunity to provide parents and siblings of a schizophrenic family member with information, empowering them to care for themselves and their ill loved one. By understanding the emotional reaction families have to the illness and the effects of social stigma, nurses can help families overcome the barriers to care by establishing a supportive practice. This article describes schizophrenia in terms of its impact on parents and siblings, including novel implications for nursing practice and research.