The Complexity of Caring for People with Mental Disorders: Family Challenges in Contributing to Horticultural Therapy

The fluctuation of psychological conditions among people with mental disorders are suspected to burden the family caregiver. Horticultural therapy has been known as an effective complementary therapy to enhance people mental health. Family assistance in the implementation of horticultural therapy is a form of family caring which contributes greatly in determining the achievement of horticultural therapy goals. However, not many previous studies have explored family experiences when accompanying family members who suffer from mental disorders in undergoing horticultural therapy.This study aims to explore family experiences when accompanying family members who suffer from mental disorders when undertaking horticultural therapy. Qualitative research using a hermeneutic phenomenology approach was conducted in 5 homes of people with mental disorders who had experienced horticultural therapy. Five family participants were selected by purposive sampling and considered data saturation. Family data were analyzed by using data analysis content. Interview notes are read repeatedly to identify data saturation and formulate the unit of analysis. Furthermore, the data is structured through the coding phase, followed by formulating categories and abstracting them to obtain a brief overview. To guarantee the validity of the data, this study pays attention to its credibility, confirmability, dependability, transferability and authenticity. The results of the study indicate that the family is aware that while assisting the patients during horticultural therapy, the family must have strong motivation, patience, sincerity and confidence. It is proven that the patient's self-confidence, ability to interact and communicate shows positive development after undertaking horticultural therapy.As one form of complementary therapy, the sustainability of horticultural therapy should be done continuously by the health care provider accompanied by family support.