THE EXPERIENCE OF PROVIDING CARE TO RELATIVES WITH CHRONIC MENTAL ILLNESS

Research on family caregivers of mentally ill relatives has historically focused on negative aspects of caregiving, often described as caregiver burden. The authors document caregivers' perspectives on both the negative and positive aspects of caregiving. A qualitative approach was used. Data collection involved 20 in-depth, audiotaped, semistructured interviews focusing on caregivers' positive and negative personal experiences with caregiving …