“I feel I have grown strong through these experiences”: Positive caregiving experiences among emerging adults caring for a parent with mental illness in Northeast India

Background: Caregiving experiences can be bidirectional, encapsulating both positive and negative experiences. Research involving young people who care for parents with mental illness has predominantly focused on the burden lens of caregiving. We aimed to explore the positive caregiving experiences among emerging adults with parental mental illness in Northeast India. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted at the LGB Regional Institute of Mental Health, a tertiary mental health centre in Tezpur, Assam, Northeast India. Five emerging adults aged 19–25 years, who were involved in caring for a parent diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder, were recruited through purposive sampling. We conducted in-depth interviews in Assamese and analysed the data using thematic analysis, with coding facilitated by ATLAS.ti software (version 26). Results: Three themes were identified: (i) accepting the illness and continuing to care, reflecting greater understanding of the parent’s illness, empathy, and reduced blame; (ii) growing stronger through transforming adversity into personal motivation, highlighting determination and personal growth; and (iii) proactive coping through challenging adversity into self-development, reflecting initiative, problem-solving, resourcefulness, and self-care. Conclusion: The findings highlight how caregiving may foster acceptance, personal motivation, and proactive coping among emerging adults caring for a parent with mental illness. These experiences broaden the understanding of caregiving beyond burden and suggest the value of recognising caregivers’ strengths alongside their challenges.