Deconstructing Stigmatising Narratives: A Qualitative Analysis of Contrast Devices in Interviews with Mothers with a Mental Illness

Abstract

Background In the context of stigma and mental health research, there are limited empirical studies examining stigma through the positioning of individuals within interview contexts. This study addresses this gap by investigating the positioning processes in interviews with mothers with a mental illness, with a specific focus on the use of contrast devices as a strategy identified through analysis. By analysing how mothers position themselves through contrast devices and which discourses they refer to, this study provides insights into the anticipated stigma from mothers with a mental illness. Methods This study is based on 20 semi-narrative interviews with mothers with a mental illness who participated in the Village Project (a pilot project created for children of parents with mental illness in Tyrol, Austria). In the first step, we searched for sections of the interviews where positioning processes became visible and then analysed the segments where they used contrast devices with a deconstructive methodology. Results The analysis shows insights into mothers’ efforts to distance themselves from labels such as “bad mother”, “not normal”, “weak woman”, and “calculating individual”. Importantly, these positions often carry a gendered dimension, with motherhood emerging as a central position. Furthermore, our study highlights the challenges mothers with mental illness face in navigating societal norms and expectations related to motherhood during research interviews. Conclusion The research contributes to a deeper understanding of the anticipated stigma of mothers with mental illness, emphasising the importance of considering gendered dynamics and societal expectations in mental health research.