BackgroundFamily caregivers play critical roles in supporting the home-based recovery of patients with schizophrenia, but they often encounter substantial challenges and receive insufficient systemic support. Understanding caregivers’ involvement in home-based recovery is essential for aligning community mental health services with families’ capacities and needs. This study aimed to explore family caregivers’ involvement and adaptive processes in supporting home-based recovery of patients with schizophrenia in China.MethodsA qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis was conducted through semi-structured interviews. Family caregivers were purposively recruited from four community health service centers (CHSCs) across urban and rural areas of Beijing. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, anonymized, and analyzed iteratively to identify themes and subthemes.ResultsA total of 20 family caregivers were recruited, including 11 from two urban districts and 9 from a rural district in Beijing. Five themes were identified: Caregivers’ redefinition of recovery as stability rather than cure; Routine recovery involvement in medication management and symptom monitoring; Experienced tensions between the patient’s independence and relapse prevention; Bearing family obligation and personal strain in sustained caregiving involvement; and Uncertainty in sustaining caregiving and the patients’ future stability. Caregivers reported persistent challenges in supporting patients’ independent living, participation in family activities, communication, and social interaction.ConclusionFamily caregivers gradually develop their capacity to support home-based recovery, but continue to encounter complex challenges while receiving limited support from CHSCs. Strengthening recovery-oriented family support within community mental health services, particularly through accessible psychoeducation and rehabilitation guidance, may enhance caregivers’ capacity to support patients’ independence and social participation, thereby promoting sustainable home-based care and long-term functional recovery.
Radically different