Experiences of caregivers providing care to fully dependent individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Caregiving for individuals diagnosed with fully dependent schizophrenia is a multidimensional process that extends far beyond providing physical assistance. It profoundly influences caregivers' emotional, physical, social, and economic well-being. Understanding these experiences is essential for developing holistic and sustainable care models that support both patients and caregivers. AIM: This study aimed to explore and interpret the lived experiences of caregivers providing continuous care to fully dependent individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, with a focus on the emotional, social, and systemic dimensions of caregiving. METHODS: A qualitative research design based on the phenomenological approach was adopted. The study was conducted at the Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic of Sakarya University Training and Research Hospital between January and April 2025. Eighteen adult caregivers who had provided care for at least six months were recruited using purposive sampling until data saturation was achieved. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step phenomenological method. RESULTS: Five main themes were identified: (1) Diagnosis and Initial Reactions, (2) Care Responsibilities and Daily Routines, (3) Effects of Caregiving on the Caregiver, (4) Relations with Society and the Social Environment, and (5) Perceptions of Systemic and Institutional Support. The findings revealed that caregiving leads to emotional exhaustion, social isolation, and physical fatigue. Religious beliefs and meaning-making processes acted as important coping mechanisms. Additionally, participants reported significant economic difficulties, insufficient institutional support, and experiences of social stigma. Positive views on Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC) were expressed, though accessibility remained unequal across regions. CONCLUSION: Caring for fully dependent individuals with schizophrenia represents a complex and lifelong responsibility that reshapes caregivers' personal, emotional, and social lives. The findings highlight the necessity of structured psychosocial support programs, improved accessibility to community-based mental health services, and stigma reduction initiatives. Family physicians, through their continuity, comprehensiveness, and person-centered approach, are in a key position to identify caregiver burnout, coordinate multidisciplinary support, and strengthen the integration between primary and psychiatric care systems.