Parenting and support needs of women with schizophrenia

A qualitative descriptive study was conducted to gain a better understanding of the experiences and needs of women with chronic schizophrenia who are parenting young children. The subjects of this study were 22 mothers with chronic schizophrenia receiving community mental health services. Seven women participated in a focus group designed to identify parenting and treatment concerns of this population. The remaining 15 women participated in semistructured interviews. Although the women expressed satisfaction with their role as parents, their lives are challenged by symptoms of their chronic illness. They have difficulty in carrying out the daily tasks of homemaking and parenting. They also have concerns for their children's mental and emotional well-being and live in fear of having their children taken away by the state authorities.