Family members of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders often face significant emotional, psychological, and social challenges as primary caregivers. This study aimed to explore and understand the lived experiences of family caregivers in providing care and support to their loved ones with schizophrenia. The findings were utilized to establish a foundation for developing a family-focused psychoeducational program to enhance support and coping strategies. A total of five family caregivers from Lucena City, Quezon Province, Philippines were purposively selected based on specific inclusion criteria. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, validated by three experts in the field, and analyzed using thematic analysis guided by Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).


The results revealed that caregivers experienced intense emotional stressors, including feelings of isolation, guilt, fear of aggressive behaviors, and emotional exhaustion, compounded by difficulties in time management and balancing responsibilities. Despite these challenges, caregivers demonstrated resilience through positive coping mechanisms such as healthy family dynamics, seeking professional help, community support, practicing self-care, and engaging in positive reframing. Based on these findings, a three-phase psychoeducational program was developed to improve family stability, reduce emotional burden, enhance illness knowledge, and foster adaptive responses to caregiving demands.


This program is designed for implementation by mental health professionals, including psychologists, psychiatrists, family counselors, and allied practitioners, to improve care outcomes for both individuals with schizophrenia and their families. The study emphasizes the need for culturally relevant interventions addressing the complex dynamics of caregiving in low-resource settings.