Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Collegian

Volume

31

Issue

6

First Page

392

Last Page

403

Publisher

Elsevier

School

School of Nursing and Midwifery / School of Arts and Humanities

RAS ID

77162

Comments

Cole, A., Pooley, J. A., & Whitehead, L. (2024). Family members’ experiences with depression through the lens of Frank’s illness narratives. Collegian, 31(6), 392-403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2024.09.005

Abstract

Background: Depression impacts around 300 million people worldwide and places significant strain on families who care for relatives with chronic mental health conditions. This strain can lead to substantial burdens and affect the mental health and well-being of family members. Aim: This study explores family members’ experiences with depression through the lens of Frank's illness narratives. Methods: Employing a narrative inquiry approach, interviews were conducted with eight family members of adults diagnosed with major depressive disorder. The data were analysed through the lens of Frank's illness narratives. Findings: Family members’ experiences revealed a complex interplay of narratives that reflected the elements of the narratives of quest, chaos, and restitution. The narratives illustrated an ongoing process of adaptation, meaning-making, and personal transformation while living with a family member diagnosed with depression. All narratives portrayed the concept of hope, and this was manifested in different ways across the narrative types. Conclusion: While Frank's narratives traditionally focus on individuals living with chronic health conditions, this study extends the work to the family member perspective, revealing how families navigate the burden, distress, and challenges of depression while also experiencing personal growth and hope. This paper expands our understanding of the broader impacts of depression on families.

DOI

10.1016/j.colegn.2024.09.005

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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