Mothers with a mental illness: Stressors and resources for parenting and living

Policy changes as well as improved treatment and rehabilitation practices mean that more women with mental illness are carrying out parenting roles. However, mental-health services have only given limited attention to parenting problems and benefits for clients with psychiatric disabilities. previous research has focused more on mothers' clinical characteristics, and less on the social and economic contexts in which parenting occurs. The present report involves a targe, primarily minority sample of women with serious mental illness who are mothers and who are being served in the public mental-health system of a large urban area. We sought to collect more comprehensive information to better understand their situations and improve service provisions. The women in the study report experiencing severe financial strains and health problems, even when compared with other low-income urban-based populations. Many also have experienced crises, loss of significant others, assaults, and other negative life events that are very stressful, along with a high number of chronic hassles. They do have resources available to them, through interpersonal supports, religion, and mental-health services. The discussion focuses on implications for micro- and macro-practice to improve these women's lives, their parenting, and the potential outcomes of their children.