Phenomenological study of the maternal experiences of women with Schizophrenia
| dc.contributor.advisor | Novotna, Gabriela | |
| dc.contributor.author | Mihalicz, Amanda Jeanine | |
| dc.contributor.committeemember | Chalmers, Darlene | |
| dc.contributor.committeemember | Pino, Fritz | |
| dc.contributor.committeemember | Seeman, Mary | |
| dc.contributor.externalexaminer | Clune, Laurie | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2023-04-04T19:52:47Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2023-04-04T19:52:47Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2022-08 | |
| dc.description | A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Social Work, University of Regina. viii, 134 p. | en_US |
| dc.description.abstract | Managing a mental illness such as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and parenting poses many challenges. The present study used phenomenological methodology along with a poststructural and critical feminist lens to understand the lived experiences of mothers with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Nine in-depth qualitative interviews and follow up discussions were conducted with participants, finding rich and meaningful descriptions of their experiences. After the data collection period was complete, all interview data was transcribed, and 418 significant statements were identified and coded into eight themes and eighteen subthemes. The mothers in this study highlight the true difficulties of parenting with schizophrenia, including balancing illness symptoms, medication side effects, the importance of community support along with increased risk of child protective services involvement and custody loss. The participants emphasized strong family support as being key to successfully parenting while managing their illness. This study has confirmed that supporting family caregivers for those with schizophrenia can improve outcomes and lead to reduced burnout. Positive therapeutic alliances with care providers were recognized as being essential to the participants’ recovery and stability. All nine participants shared experiencing various forms of stigma and discrimination related to their mental illness and this led to reduced self-esteem and social isolation. Many women also shared the importance of employment, volunteering, and peer support groups to increase community connection. The findings of this study shed light on the experiences of mothers with schizophrenia and the difficulties surrounding parenting while managing their illness. The importance of strong support from family and care providers was heavily recommended by participants. This research contributes to the current body of knowledge surrounding mothers with schizophrenia while providing further insight into how social workers and other care providers can better support these women. | en_US |
| dc.description.authorstatus | Student | en |
| dc.description.peerreview | yes | en |
| dc.identifier.tcnumber | TC-SRU-15849 | |
| dc.identifier.thesisurl | https://ourspace.uregina.ca/bitstream/handle/10294/15849/Mihalicz%2cAmanda_MSW_Thesis.pdf | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/10294/15849 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
| dc.publisher | Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina | en_US |
| dc.title | Phenomenological study of the maternal experiences of women with Schizophrenia | en_US |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_US |
| thesis.degree.department | Faculty of Social Work | en_US |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Social Work | en_US |
| thesis.degree.grantor | University of Regina | en |
| thesis.degree.level | Master's | en |
| thesis.degree.name | Master of Social Work (MSW) | en_US |