2016 Volume 25 Issue 2 Pages 41-50
This study aimed to describe the caring experiences of middle-aged (45–64 years old) parents whose adult children had mental illnesses in order to discuss how to support for the middle-aged parents. The qualitative descriptive study was conducted. Participants were 12 parents (11 mothers and 1 father) of 14 adult children. The average age was 56.8 (SD 5.5) years for the parents and 25.2 (SD 4.6) years for the children. Parents were interviewed regarding their experiences, process, perceived difficulties, and coping behaviors. Interview transcripts were coded with a focus on caring experiences and categorized them in chronological order. The theme extracted was “pursue recovery and growth through learning with children,” and it consisted of four categories: “caring for the child as usual,” “feeling isolated and helpless with changes in the child's condition,” “seeking better ways for the child's recovery,” and “recovery and growth through learning with the child.” An important component of support for middle-aged parents is family peer groups that promote awareness of ways in which parents can aid in their child's recovery.
