A model to assist psychiatric nurses in facilitating support of parents who are caring for an adolescent with a mental disorder

Background: An estimated one in seven adolescents globally experiences a mental disorder, and parents, as primary caregivers, play an essential role in caring for their adolescent with a mental disorder. Consequently, parents face many challenges and require support from psychiatric nurses. Objectives: To describe and evaluate the development of a model for psychiatric nurses to facilitate support for parents who are caring for an adolescent with a mental disorder. Method: A theory-generative, qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual study design was used to develop the model. The central concept of the model was derived from a previous study. The process entailed identifying the central concept and other essential criteria, classifying the central concepts and describing the relationships between them. Results: The central concept was identified as ‘facilitation of support’ for parents who are caring for an adolescent with a mental disorder. The identified and defined central concepts were placed into interrelated statements. The model to facilitate support for parents who are caring for an adolescent with a mental disorder was developed, described and evaluated. The model has not been implemented. Conclusion: The model provides facilitation of support for parents who are caring for an adolescent with a mental disorder. Additionally, the model empowers psychiatric nurses with the skills to facilitate support for parents. Contribution: The model contributes to the facilitation of support for parents who are caring for an adolescent with a mental disorder. This model will also contribute to the empowerment of psychiatric nurses.