The time toxicity experience of primary caregivers of schizophrenia: a descriptive phenomenological study

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness that often necessitates lifelong treatment. the long-term follow-up process can impose negative impacts on these caregivers that are challenging to evaluate. This study investigates the experience of time-related toxicity among primary caregivers in China during long-term follow-up visits. This study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in China from January to April 2025. Through purposive sampling, 15 primary caregivers of patients with schizophrenia were recruited for face-to-face semi-structured interviews. The collected data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s method. Three main themes were extracted: (1) The Impact of Time Toxicity on Caregivers’ Lives; (2) Multiple Factors Exacerbating Time Toxicity; (3) Adaptive Outcomes of Time Toxicity. This study clarifies the time-toxicity experiences of primary caregivers of schizophrenia, aiming to provide insights for healthcare workers and policymakers who aim to improve the overall mental health and quality of life of affected families.