Disenfranchised Mothers: Caring for an Adult Child With Schizophrenia

Interviews with 29 parent caregivers of adult children with schizophrenia discovered that they periodically redefine their parental role over the course of the family member's illness. A grounded theory of "redefining parental identity" is briefly reviewed. As the child's schizophrenia develops, parents come to regard themselves as disenfranchised. That is, although parents assume the right to take on responsibility for their family member, neither the legal system, mental health practitioners, nor often the ill persons themselves recognize that right. Particularly for the 16 mothers who tend to be the primary family caregivers, this lack of parental rights negatively affects their caregiving experience, especially as regards their caregiver stress, their experience of guilt and grief, and ultimately their own health.