Identity in Personal Recovery for Mothers With a Mental Illness

Abstract

Developing a “positive identity” is considered a core component of personal recovery, and mothering offers meaning in life and a valued identity. Few studies have highlighted the factors influencing identity within a personal recovery paradigm for mothers with mental illness. This study explores how mothers describe their identity in relation to recovery, including the factors that influence identity. Using constructivist grounded theory methodology, in-depth interviews were conducted with 17 women who were mothers and experienced mental illness. Women defined their self-concept broadly, accentuating motherhood, but also including vocational, community and social roles. Analysis revealed six categories: defining self, becoming a mother, being a “good” mum, feeling different, doing it my way and speaking out. Valuing identity in parenting was found to be linked to recovery. Services may facilitate personal recovery by supporting mothers to enhance a self-concept associated with mothering, as well as other diverse attributes and roles.

A qualitative exploration of stakeholders’ perspectives on the experiences, challenges, and needs of persons with serious mental illness as they consider finding a partner or becoming parent

“…In line with previous qualitative research ( 22 , 23 ), persons with SMI described finding a partner or becoming parent as strong motivating factors that could contribute to wellbeing and recovery. In particular, participants described these topics as central to their experience of their purpose in life, of what is possible for them and of their place in the world.…”

Mothering, Substance Use Disorders and Intergenerational Trauma Transmission: An Attachment-Based Perspective

“…Emphasizing the importance of different factors in the etiology, development, and maintenance of addictive behaviour (137), study findings highlight the necessity of applying attachment-enabling interventions in substance abuse treatment, to be designed and delivered in a trauma-informed manner to promote parent–child bonding and healing as a parent in the first place, as self-concept and mothering are deeply related to each other (138). Practitioners need to be aware of the enormous suffering that is at the root of SUDs (117), with a need for treatment to be based in providing what was lacking (30), mindful of the healing potential of trustful interpersonal relationships in the aftermath of trauma.…”

Promoting Self-Determination in Parents With Mental Illness in Adult Mental Health Settings

“…Relational recovery, however, posits that an individual’s recovery is intertwined with their relationships and wider social determinants (Price-Robertson et al, 2017). Through this lens, supporting parenting as part of mental health treatment is vital as parenthood is commonly reported as highly valued for people with mental illness (Hine et al, 2019; Reupert & Maybery, 2015) and can be both hindering and enabling for people’s recovery (Hine et al, 2018). The sense of succeeding or failing as a parent can have a profound impact on mood, self-esteem, and self-efficacy and, consequently, feelings of wellness and unwellness during the course of mental illness (Nicholson, 2014).…”