WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Angela A. M. Lusia Laka*, Indah Winarni and Setyoadi

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The role of family as primary caregiver is important to help family members who have mental retardation to go through the daily activities in life. However, family is vulnerable to have psychological problem in accompanying them. Responsibility of primary caregiver in improving quality of life of family members who are treated will be hampered in the midst of primary caregiver limitation. Prolonged psychological issues can cause primary caregiver to experience difficulty in doing treatment so that the expected positive effects on family members who are treated cannot be obtained fully. Therefore, primary caregiver effort is really needed to increase the quality of life of family members who have mental retardation. Family holds a crucial role as primary caregiver in taking care of family members who suffer from mental retardation to perform daily life activities. However, caregivers are also vulnerable to psychological problems. Primary caregivers’ responsibilities to improve the life quality of the mentallyretarded family members. Objective of the Study: This study aims to explore the meaning of family’s experience as primary caregiver in treating family members with mental retardation in depth. Participants and Method: This study was a qualitative research which used interpretive phenomenological approach. This study involved 8 participants who were family of family members with mental retardation. The data collection was done through in depth interview by using interview guidelines. The obtained data were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Results: There were 2 themes obtained from this study. They are accepting the condition and acknowledging the importance of family support as primary caregiver. Conclusion: Family as primary caregiver try to improve quality of life of family members with mental retardation by improving themselves and accepting conditions so that they are able to carry out their responsibility as well as be aware of the importance of family support as primary caregiver by showing struggle efforts in assisting family members with mental retardation.

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