Emotional and psychological challenges of wives of men with schizophrenia: A phenomenological study

Schizophrenia affects approximately 24 million people worldwide. In a marital relationship, having a spouse who has been diagnosed with a mental condition can be challenging. This qualitative study aimed to explore the emotional and psychological challenges faced by the wives of men with schizophrenia in their daily lives.

The study employed a phenomenological approach to capture the lived experiences of participants. Ten wives of individuals with schizophrenia were interviewed face-to-face using a semi-structured format. Informed consent ensured confidentiality. To achieve a rich description of experiences, Hycner's explicitation process was applied. Regular debriefing sessions and peer review enhanced the credibility of the findings.

Two major themes and their subthemes were identified. The first theme shattered emotions, encompassed betrayal, heartbreak, anger, and irritability. The second theme silent suffering, included loneliness, yearning for understanding, acceptance, emotional numbness, shattered dreams, and unmet needs.

This study highlights the emotional and psychological challenges faced by wives of men with schizophrenia. The findings have practical implications for designing culturally sensitive, empathetic, and targeted interventions to support spouses in their caregiving roles. Tailored interventions are needed to improve coping strategies and provide better psychosocial support.