The Tie That Binds and Heals:
Families' Life Experiences with Mental Illness

 

Methodology

• Qualitative and phenomenological research design.

• A "warm" analysis, wherein empathy is integral to thus study in an attempt to make sense of, and interpret the meanings of and perceptions of how mental illness affects the lives of families.

• Hennepin County the largest populated county (23% of population) of Minnesota.

• Maximum variation sample was used to identify participants who were likely to be "information-rich".

Phase I: Families

• 40 participants: 10 family members from each family subgroup; parents, siblings, spouses, and offspring.

• Semi-structured in-person interview exploring the family member's life experience in the following areas:

• coping, adapting, and managing a family member's mental illness

• caregiving burdens and self-care techniques

• experiences with mental health services

• perceptions of the causation of mental illness

• necessary components needed for recovery

• Phenomenological approach provided an opportunity for family members to voice their experiences so that a comprehensive reflective analysis could portray the essences of their life experiences with mental illness (Moustakas).

Phase II: Mental Health Professionals

• 10 program directors from Minnesota Rule 29 Community Mental Health Clinics.

• Telephone interview or completing questionnaire via postal mailed:

• explored their views about the challenges and rewards of working with families experiencing mental illness

• availability of services for families

• training

• stigma

• causation of mental illness

• Snapshot view of the connection of the person-in-environment perspective.

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Parents as Participants

• Coping with mental illness for an average of 13 years

• Majority of participants female (mother)

• All over the age of 50

• Majority married

• All had some college experience; 80% had a college degree

• Half retired; with over half reported incomes of over $75,000 annually

• Majority indicated their religious affiliation as none

• All were caucasian

Siblings as Participants

• Coping with mental illness for an average of 10 years

• Majority of participants female (sisters)

• Age 18 to 59, with half older than their brother/sister

• Majority of participants were either divorced or single and never married

• Majority had some college experience; 50% had a college degree

• Half employed; report earning $35,000 to $49,999 annually

• Religious affiliations ranged from none to Catholic, Non-denominational, Jewish, Lutheran, and Presbyterian

• All were Caucasian

Spouses as Participants

• Majority knew about their spouses mental illness prior to their marriage; two whose mental illness appeared after their marriage are now divorced

• Participants were half male (husbands) and half female (wives)

• Age 18 to 59

• Majority of participants were married

• All had some college experiences; 60% had a college degree

• All were employed; half reported earning over $75,000 annually

• Religious affiliations ranged from none to Christian, Lutheran, and Hindu

• Majority were Caucasian; with one identifying himself as East Indian (Asian/Pacific Islander)

Offspring as Participants

• Majority of participants were female (daughters)

• Age 28 to 49

• Majority of participants were either divorced or separated

• Majority had some college experience; over half had a college degree

• Half employed: reported earning $35,000 to $49,999 annually

• Religious affiliations ranged from none to Christian, Catholic, Lutheran, Morman, and "Spiritual"

• Majority were Caucasian with one identifying herself as Hispanic/Latin