The values and qualities of being a good helper: A qualitative study of adult foster home caregivers for persons with serious mental illness

摘要

BackgroundCanadian foster homes for adults with serious mental illness are operated by non-professional caregivers, usually women, whose mandate is to support residents and reintegrate them into the community. While mental health professionals recognize that adult foster homes are an important service for this population, there is little understanding of how caregivers impact on the lives of their residents.