Perceptions of mental health professionals and family caregivers about their collaborative relationships: A factor analytic study

This study investigated collaboration between mental health professionals and family caregivers by examining perceptions of their routine relationships. Independent samples of professionals (N=240) and family caregivers of adults with severe mental illness (N=270) responded to items developed to measure 14 facets of collaboration. Principal component analyses and standard multiple regressions were performed. Five components, accounting for 55% of the variance, were identified in professionals' perceptions of collaboration whereas two components, accounting for 56% of the variance, were identified in family caregivers' perceptions. Components capturing the behaviours and attitudes of the other party were the best predictors of both family caregiver and professional perceptions of overall collaboration. The results suggest that relatively simple collaboration models can describe routine professional-caregiver interactions, although professionals possess a more differentiated concept of collaboration than family caregivers. Unexpectedly, both professionals and caregivers tended to attribute responsibility for collaboration to the other party. Training programs in which mental health professionals and family caregivers jointly learn the best ways to work together may be valuable.