Challenge of parents caring for children or adolescents with early-stage schizophrenia in China: A qualitative study

Purpose: To explore the challenges of parents caring for early-stage schizophrenia (ESS) children/adolescents in China. Design and Methods: Thirteen parents of ESS subjects completed semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data. Findings: Seven themes emerged from the data: psychological shock and emotional burden; lack of disease knowledge and care skill; poor treatment compliance of the patient; difficulty getting along with the patient; conflict within the family or in the workplace; financial burden; and need sufficient social support. Each challenge was produced and influenced under the Chinese special social context. Practice Implications: Professional support was needed to help patients with schizophrenia to cope with their situation promptly. Education initiatives should focus on mental health to prevent discrimination from society and enable people to recognize the early symptoms of schizophrenia in children. Telemedicine should be explored for application in the treatment of mental illness. Also, a broader nationwide healthcare policy would be needed to help to reduce the individual and societal financial burdens associated with schizophrenia.