Exploring the Experiences of Parent Caregivers of Adult Children With Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review

This is a qualitative evidence synthesis on the experiences of parents caring for their adult child with schizophrenia. The Joanna Briggs Methodology for systematic reviews guided the study and standard systematic review procedures were followed. Content analysis was used to synthesize findings from the five studies included into the following categories: ' Resources ,' ' Loss ,' ' Psychological Distress ,' ' Effects on Family ,' and ' Framing the Experience.' Findings suggest that parent caregivers struggle to navigate services and need greater support to protect their mental and physical health. From a research perspective, factors influencing parents' abilities to stay engaged in caregiving warrant further exploration.

Highlights

• Parent caregivers of adult children with schizophrenia experience significant losses related to their child and themselves.

• Navigating the mental health care system presents significant challenges to parent caregivers.

• Framing experiences in positive or meaningful ways can be helpful in coping with their care giving role.

• Parent caregivers ultimately require support in protecting their own mental and physical health.