Abstract
Substance-induced psychotic disorder (SIPD) is defined as delusions or hallucinations related to the psychological effects of a substance or medication. SIPD can produce a full range of psychotic symptoms, such as delusions, hallucinations, psychomotor changes, impaired cognition, disorganised speech and mania. The majority of studies conducted focused on the risk of relapse and readmission. Few studies were conducted on the experiences of family members who have a relative diagnosed with SIPD.
The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the experiences of family members caring for a relative with SIPD and describe specific recommendations to facilitate their mental health. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design with a descriptive phenomenology research method was utilised, an exploratory study was done first to clearly define the research problem by conducting pilot interviews and the research took place over two phases. In phase one, the experiences of family members caring for a relative with SIPD were explored and described. In phase two, specific recommendations to facilitate their mental health were described. Family members were purposively sampled to participate in the study, the sample size was determined by data saturation, this occurred at the eighth interview and data were collected through individual telephonic interviews in light of the Covid-19 regulations. Data collection took place between October 2020 and November 2020.
Data were analysed using thematic coding, and three themes emerged: Participants experienced caring for a relative with SIPD as a destabilising responsibility; they experienced acceptance, support from significant others, the community and solace in prayer; and reported a need for support from government structures in order to care for a relative with SIPD. In phase two, specific recommendations were described based on the results from phase one. Trustworthiness was enhanced by applying the strategies of credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability. The ethical principles of autonomy and respect for persons, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice were also adhered to throughout the study.
Keywords: Caring, Experiences, Family member, Relative and Substance-induced psychosis disorder.