Subjective Experiences of Husbands of Spouses With Schizophrenia: An Analysis of the Husbands' Descriptions of Their Experiences

The caregiving experiences of husbands living with spouses with schizophrenia were described through exploring husbands' descriptions of their experiences. Twelve husbands participated in the study. According to content analysis, the husbands' experience revealed six major themes: identification and acceptance of the disease by the husbands, past and present experience with wives with schizophrenia, the roles and burdens of husbands, marital relationships and the presence of the wife for husbands, social resources, participation in the community and society, and perspectives on the future. Based on the bond of marriage established through living together and mutual trust between couples, the husbands aim to share life experiences with their wives.