Themes | Subthemes |
1. Adaptation to the caring experience | 1.1 Learning by discovery 1.2 Feelings of frustration and guilt 1.3 Tolerating the mood swings of the affected person |
2. Dichotomy ‘with or without me’ | 2.1 Admiration for their resilience against CD 2.2 Feeling irreplaceable 2.3 Assuming the family role of the affected person |
3. Unending burden | 3.1 Constant concern for their state of being 3.2 Uncertainties regarding the future health of their family members 3.3 Concerns regarding future family or work issues |
4. Need for knowledge and control of the disease | 4.1 Constant search for information 4.2 Perceived lack of information from healthcare professionals |
5. Getting used to and normalising life | 5.1 Monitoring appointments and paternalism 5.2 Solidarity with the affected person |
CD, Crohn's disease.