How do family members perceive reintegration of male state patients into their families in South Africa? A qualitative analysis

Ndivhalebi Robert Lavhelani

Abstract

After successful rehabilitation of state patients at the psychiatric hospital, they need to be reintegrated into their families. Family members of state patients have perceptions on how these patients should occur. Hayani Psychiatric Hospital has a challenge of many male state patients who are ready to be reintegrated but are not done so although the hospital has put mechanisms to address the challenge. The aim of the study was to explore perceptions of family members regarding reintegration of male state patients into their families. A qualitative approach using descriptive, explorative, and contextual designs was used for this study. The study population was family members whose relatives are male state patients admitted and recorded in the admission register of Hayani Hospital, Limpopo Province South Africa. Nonprobability purposive and convenient sampling were used to sample a hospital and 10 Venda speaking family members of male state patients respectively.