Views and strategies of African-American caregivers of persons with schizophrenia on medication treatment and other supports

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 302-324
Author(s):  
Michelle T Joy ◽  
Christian G Kohler ◽  
Tracy H Griffith
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
African American ◽  
Medication Adherence ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Patient Support ◽  
Organizational Strategies ◽  
Medication Treatment ◽  
Interactive Strategies ◽  
Persons With Schizophrenia ◽  
African American Caregivers

African-Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia than persons of other ethnic identities, necessitating an understanding of this group’s perceptions of the mental health system. Interviews with 10 African-American caregivers of persons with schizophrenia underwent qualitative data analysis to elucidate perspectives on medication adherence and their caretaking roles and supports. Medication adherence-related themes (interactive strategies, organizational strategies) and non-medication-related themes (support of patient, support of caregiver) were detected. These results describe the complex role that African-American caregivers of persons with schizophrenia undertake and identify possible interventions to address related mental health disparities.

scholarly journals Pain Among African American Family Caregivers: Association With Health Outcomes

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 518-518
Author(s):  
Janiece Taylor ◽  
Lyndsay DeGroot ◽  
Thomas Travison ◽  
Richard Skolasky ◽  
Sarah Szanton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
African American ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Regression Model ◽  
National Study ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Care Recipients ◽  
Excellent Health ◽  
African American Caregivers

Abstract African Americans experience high rates of undermanaged pain as they age. African Americans often become family or informal caregivers, and undermanaged pain may have implications for their overall health and ability to perform caregiving tasks. The purpose of this study was to examine if pain was related to overall health and number of caregiving activities among African American caregivers. We used data from round 7 of the National Study of Caregiving (N= 646 African American caregivers, mean age= 57 years [SD=15]). Pain over the prior month was participant-assessed. Of this sample, 451 (69.7%) were women, 324 (50.1%) had pain, and 309 (47.8%) had multiple comorbidities. The number of caregiving activities ranged from 8 to 14 with mean of 11.6 (SD= 1.4). In a logistic regression model, controlling for income, education, and comorbidities, we found having pain in the last month was associated with lower likelihood of very good or excellent health (Adjusted OR 0.48; 95% CI 0.33 to 0.69) and greater likelihood of having depressive symptoms (Adjusted OR 2.04; 95% CI 1.34 to 3.10). In a linear regression model, however, pain was not significantly related to the number of caregiving activities (R2 = 0.04). Findings suggest that while pain is related to poorer physical and mental health outcomes among African American caregivers, even pain does not deter them from providing care for care recipients. Management of pain among African American caregivers may be beneficial for improving their own overall health and mental health.

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