• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.311-336
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• 2012

Under the Korean mental health circumstances where familistic culture is predominant and social resources are limited, siblings are an important presence that effect chronically mentally ill people's lives. Despite this fact, our society in some aspect overlooks their importance. Therefore, this study is focused on the role of siblings as caregivers of chronically mentally ill adults and is conducted to understand the relevant process and types of how siblings fulfill the role of caregivers. In order to achieve this goal, data was collected from nine study participants through individual interviews and focus group interviews and its contents were analyzed according to Grounded Theory. The results revealed that the siblings' experiences as caregivers of chronically mentally ill people were mainly categorized as 'carrying painful memory, responsibility, and concern about the obscure future of the mentally ill sibling and finding a caring role different from those of parents.' Moreover three types of sibling caregivers were recognized: 'reality-adapting, obligation fulfilling' type, 'sacrificial self-responsibility fulfilling' type, and 'growing guardianship creator' type. This research aimed to vividly deliver the voices of research participants and proposed social support and permanent planning services based on the experiences and desires unique to siblings.