Assisting Adults with Severe Mental Illness in Transitioning from Parental Homes to Independent Living

Abstract

This study explores mental health professionals' practices with adult clients and their parents at the departure of the clients' transition from the parental home to independent living. Using grounded theory methodology, the author interviewed 24 case managers in Assertive Community Treatment programs in Wisconsin and applied dimensional analysis to identify and categorize concepts in verbatim transcripts. Different client-parent relationships were sampled to compare practices on client independent living. Results show that case managers considered client independent living a desirable social norm and a practical approach to addressing long-term care concerns. Based on the status of parental approval of independent living, case managers applied various strategies to foster helpful parental emotional boundaries with clients in order to facilitate client independence. The author discussed implications for practice and suggested future research on clients' and parents' perspectives on independent living and the short-term and long-term effects of the transition on their well-being.

Beyond these walls: Can psychosocial clubhouses promote the social integration of adults with serious mental illness in the community?

“…Family ties typically exist in a unique context of previous history and future involvement. Previous research has suggested that relationships between adults with serious mental illness and their families are often complex, with family members typically serving as primary caregivers (Chen, 2010; Schene et al, 1998). However, the present findings suggest that perceived support from family may be a key community support associated with adults’ views of social integration both within and beyond the clubhouse setting.…”

“…Although there has been a substantial literature to suggest that families often serve as caregivers to adults with psychiatric disabilities (Schene, van Wijngaarden, & Koeter, 1998), it has been difficult to characterize the impact of family members on adults’ community integration experiences. Studies have suggested that family relationships for adults with mental illness can vary dramatically, with family members being more or less supportive of adults’ efforts to live independently or engage in other forms of community integration (Chen, 2010; Stein & Wemmerus, 2001). However, family relationships are an important consideration in examining types of community supports that may contribute to social integration for clubhouse members.…”

A Little Goes a Long Way: The Impact of Distal Social Support on Community Integration and Recovery of Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities

“…Family relationships were reported by participants as being quite volatile, with parents and siblings actively supporting their recovery efforts one moment while having them involuntarily committed to mental health treatment facilities the next. Chen (2010) presents similarly contrasting results, with some parents supporting children in living independently and engaging in community life and other parents thwarting their children's efforts by making them dependent on their assistance.…”

Neighbors as distal support for individuals with serious mental illnesses.

“…Given the complexities of family and friend relationships (Chen, 2010; Martinez & Christian, 2008; Padgett, Henwood, Abrams, & Drake, 2008), individuals with SMI often require new sources of support and interaction beyond the scope of more traditional relationships. In a recent study of well-being networks, Sweet et al (2018) identified three types of networks individuals with SMI typically engage: “formal and sparse” networks, “family and stable” networks, and “diverse and active” networks.…”