Family care of Taiwanese patients who had attempted suicide: a grounded theory study.

AIM

This paper is a report of a study to explore family carers' and suicidal ex-patients' perceptions of the home environment and the provision of care in the home.

BACKGROUND

Worldwide, in 2000 approximately one million people died from suicide, which is among the three leading causes of death among those aged 15-44 years. Internationally, epidemiological trends show that there has been a rapid increase in suicide rates in many countries, including Taiwan. Families have an important role in caring for a member who is at risk of suicide.

METHODS

Using a grounded theory approach, data were collected in 2006-2007 in two Taiwanese hospitals. Interviews were conducted with suicidal patients who had just been discharged (n = 15) and family members (n = 15). Data were analysed using open, axial and selective coding.

FINDINGS

For the purpose of a larger study a substantive theory was formulated, which families could use to guide them in the care of a member who is at risk of suicide. Here we report the findings related to the 'context' and 'intervening conditions' of the grounded theory. Two categories emerged in the 'context' element, namely 'the family environment' and 'the Chinese culture'. One category surfaced in the 'intervening condition' namely, 'The provision of care in the home'. This category included three sub-categories: support systems; coping mechanisms and helping skills.

CONCLUSION

Family carers experienced difficulties when caring for a member who had previously attempted suicide. Before patients are discharged from hospital, nurses should educate families on the preventive and caring approaches that they could use in their homes.