Relationship-Based Support for Women Living with Serious Mental Illness

Abstract

Relationships are critical to a woman's growth and development, yet when living with serious mental illness, developing and nurturing connections can be challenging. This qualitative study explored the nature and quality of support provided within relationships for 14 women with schizophrenia. Families were key supporters. Female friends with mental illness often provided a meaningful source of connection for participants. Problematic relationships, losses over time, and living in poverty were among the barriers to receiving needed support. Participants conveyed a sense of wanting relational reciprocity as they talked about their relationships and place within the community.

‘You Just Lose the People You Know’: Relationship Loss and Mental Illness

“…Lack of authenticity referred to several concepts, including a loss of reciprocity, trust and honesty within relationships. Participants in a study by Chernomas et al (2008) also reported the importance of reciprocity in friendships. In line with recommendations of Chernomas and colleagues, further study into this concept is warranted.…”

“…1). Despite attempts and strategies to gain new friendships, several participants talked about the dearth of opportunities for meeting new people, a situation described elsewhere (Chernomas et al, 2008). The hope of forming new relationships was further complicated by a perceived inability to disclose one's mental illness, as described under the previous quadrant.…”

“…Relationship losses reported to affect people with a mental illness, include the loss of: friends (Borba et al, 2011;Chernomas, Clarke, & Marchinko, 2008, Mauritz & van Meijel, 2009, McKay, 2010, Nilsson et al, 2008, partners or spouses (Nilsson et al, 2008), family (Borba et al, 2011), children (Borba et al, 2011;Fernandez, Breen, & Simpson, 2014) and colleagues (Mauritz & van Meijel, 2009, Nilsson et al, 2008.…”

“…Roles or other aspects related to relationships may also be lost, such as the loss of a sexual self (Quinn & Browne, 2009), loss of social status or credibility and loss of a sense of parenthood in losing relationships with children (Fernandez et al, 2014). Factors thought to lead to a loss of relationships or social opportunities for people with a mental illness include: stigma (Proudfoot et al, 2009), frequent changes in living arrangements, lost employment or educational opportunities (Chernomas et al, 2008), as well as their mental health condition itself (Borba et al, 2011).…”

Support networks and social support for persons with psychiatric disabilities—a Swedish mixed-methods study

“…Chernomas et al (2008) found that families were key support providers for women with schizophrenia. Female friends with mental illness often provided a meaningful source of connection.…”