Abstract
Mental health is a neglected topic, particularly when it comes to family members and adult females. Depression and medication non-compliance are more common in females than their counterparts. Depression is the biggest factor leading to disabilities worldwide in addition to its negative effects on quality of life. Most adult females living with depression reside within families. There seems to be a lack of research about the family members’ experiences of non-compliance to psychiatric medication by adult females living with depression in South Africa. The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the experiences of family members of non-compliance to psychiatric medication by adult females living with depression. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design was utilised for this study. The research took place in two phases. In Phase One the family members’ experiences of non-compliance to psychiatric medication by adult females living with depression was explored and described. Purposive sampling of family members of adult females living with depression who are non-compliant to psychiatric medication was implemented in this study. Data was collected through individual in-depth phenomenological interviews until data saturation was reached as evidenced in repeating themes. Observation and field notes were also used to collect data. The data were contextualised into the current literature of family members’ experiences of non-compliance to psychiatric medication by adult females living with depression. Specific recommendations were made for family members’ mental health in caring for adult females living with depression who are non-compliant to psychiatric medication. Adherence to ethical principles was maintained throughout the research process. Measures to ensure trustworthiness were applied to facilitate the rigour of the research. The results of Phase One indicated that family members experienced noncompliance to psychiatric medication by adults females living with depression as having psycho-social effects and they experienced challenges in caring for these relatives. vi The psychiatric specific recommendations formulated in Phase Two where: to provide mental health education to family members to support adult females living with depression; to develop interpersonal skills of family members and adult females living with depression to take joint responsibility in caring for each other to promote the facilitation of mental health; and the combination of educational, supportive and behavioural techniques to develop effective strategies to deal with the family members’ challenges and to facilitate their mental health and helping family members experiencing physical effects. Limitations in the study were identified and recommendations for further research were made.
M.Cur. (Nursing)