Abstract
Purpose
Few studies have taken a holistic perspective to the lives of women with a serious
mental illness (SMI). This qualitative study of women with an SMI describes and interprets
women’s experiences and provides a new understanding about the nature and needs of
these women.
Methods
A convenience sample of 30 poor, urban, predominantly African-American women with
a diagnosis of an SMI was recruited from an ongoing National Institutes of Mental
Health study. Data collection involved face-to-face, in-depth interviews. The interviews
were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis occurred concurrently
with data collection using a modified constant comparative method.
Results
The majority of the women self-identified as African American, single, having completed
high school, and at the time of the interview were either unemployed or on disability.
The most common SMI was major depression. A common topic in the women’s reflections
on their lives was that of social disadvantage both before being diagnosed as well
as after to their diagnosis with an SMI. Salient themes of their stories included
social isolation, experiencing loss, and having a lack of control over one's own life
decisions.
Conclusion
The findings from this study revealed varied experiences among these women as well
as the complexity of their situation. The enhanced understanding of women’s situation
will allow mental health professionals to improve the quality of life for women with
an SMI by taking a contextual approach to the treatment of their mental illness.
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Biography
Christina P.C. Borba, PhD, MPH, is the Director of Research in the Chester M. Pierce, MD, Division of Global Psychiatry at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), an Assistant in Research at MGH, in the Department of Psychiatry, and an Instructor in Psychology at Harvard Medical School.
Biography
Lara DepAdilla, PhD, is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education at the Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health.
Biography
Benjamin G. Druss, MD, MPH, is a Professor in the Departments of Health Policy and Management and Behavioral Sciences and Health Education at the Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health. He is also the Rosalynn Carter Chair in Mental Health at Emory University.
Biography
Frances A. McCarty, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Public Health at Georgia State University.
Biography
Silke A. von Esenwein, PhD, is the Director of Research Projects in the Department of Health Policy and Management at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health.
Biography
Claire E. Sterk, PhD, is a Candler Professor in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health. She is also the Sr. Vice Provost for Academic Planning & Faculty Development at Emory University.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 18, 2011
Accepted:
November 8,
2010
Received in revised form:
October 20,
2010
Received:
May 25,
2010
Footnotes
Funding for this study was provided by Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Richard E. Letz Endowment Fund for Dissertation Research and by Emory University, James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies, Professional Development Support Funds.
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 Jacobs Institute of Women's Health. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
