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Unheard Voices: Mothers of Adult Children With Schizophrenia Speak Up

Publication: Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
29 October 2013

Abstract

The occupations of a mother are significantly disturbed or restricted when her child is diagnosed with schizophrenia. Emerging family-centred practice models consider the role of mothers as caregivers, but do not adequately address their personal needs. This qualitative study explores the occupational challenges faced by mothers as they navigate the experience, highlighting the impact of the devastating experience of having a child diagnosed with schizophrenia, and draws attention to the need for improved methods of knowledge translation if research findings are to better guide services for them.

Résumé

C'est à la mère que le rôle de personne soignante est le plus souvent imposé lorsqu'un enfant adulte est diagnostiqué de schizophrénie. C'est un rôle qui a le potentiel d'affecter le bien-être de la mère. Quoique les nouveaux modèles de pratique axés sur la famille considèrent le rôle que joue la mère en tant que personne soignante, ils n'abordent pas suffisamment leurs besoins personnels ni l'impact négatif de ce rôle. Cette étude qualitative a pour but d'explorer, du point de vue de la mère, les défis associés à l'expérience difficile d'avoir un enfant vivant avec la schizophrénie. Elle met en valeur le besoin de mieux traduire les données empiriques afin d'améliorer les services qui leur sont offerts.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

cover image Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Volume 32Number 3September 2013
Pages: 109 - 120

History

Version of record online: 29 October 2013

Key Words

  1. schizophrenia
  2. mothers
  3. family-centred care
  4. caregiving

Mots-clés

  1. schizophrénie
  2. mères
  3. soins axés sur la famille
  4. rôle de personne soignante

Authors

Affiliations

Catherine White
Anita Unruh

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