Women with Mental Illness - An Overview of Sociocultural Factors Influencing Family Rejection and Subsequent Institutionalization in India

Abstract

Background: Family abandonment and rejection resulting in homelessness are detrimental to women diagnosed with mental illness in India. A majority of the literature related to homelessness holds a western background, and women's homelessness in relation to mental illness is relatively unexplored in the Indian context. This review was conducted to understand the sociocultural factors influencing family rejection and to synthesize the living situation of institutionalized women with mental illness in India. Methods: Literature search in electronic databases (PubMed, Google Scholar), carried out using appropriate keywords, and a manual search in the library catalog. Results: As per the selection criteria, 19 reports, including original research articles and conceptual papers, were included and reviewed. Conclusion: There is a shortage of methodologically sound research in understanding the connection of mental illness–women homelessness–and the institutionalization scenario. This review highlights the necessity of shifting focus from institutionalization to innovative psychiatric rehabilitation strategies using the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.

Living beyond the limitation: Rehabilitation, life and productivity of individuals with schizophrenia in South‐West Nigeria

“…31 Scholars have also reported that this feeling of worthlessness arises when individuals with schizophrenia experience abandonment by their family for any reason. 1,32,33 Notably, some participants' perceptions were influenced by defective insights into their diagnoses.…”

Menopausal Symptoms in Underserved and Homeless Women Living in Extreme Temperatures in the Southwest

“… 31 Mental illness is a major factor that can contribute to homelessness and can also significantly impact health. 32 In western countries, the prevalence of mental illness among the homeless population, including psychotic illnesses and personality disorders, is higher compared to the age-matched general population in those countries. 34 Homeless mentally-ill women are one of the most deprived populations.…”

“…Studies have shown that underserved women face a myriad of different health challenges that are the result of factors, including low SES, governmental policies, mental illness, and low education levels. [31][32][33] These factors not only contribute to homelessness and being underserved, but may also impact a woman's health. 31,33 Homeless women are more likely to have lower levels of education, suffer from poor mental health, and be undernourished.…”

Let us say what we need ourselves: report of the interview of mental health service users with schizophrenia in South-West Nigeria.

“…Again, self-perception in this study was the feeling of uselessness through rejection or abandonment in the hospital. According to Loh (2018), Hasan and Adil (2019), and Moorkath et al (2019), the feeling of uselessness, is the reactions individuals with schizophrenia experience from family. Moorkath et al (2019) discovered that families abandon relatives with schizophrenia for many reasons ranging from avoidance of labelling of the family name, to burden of care and feeling of hopelessness.…”

“…According to Loh (2018), Hasan and Adil (2019), and Moorkath et al (2019), the feeling of uselessness, is the reactions individuals with schizophrenia experience from family. Moorkath et al (2019) discovered that families abandon relatives with schizophrenia for many reasons ranging from avoidance of labelling of the family name, to burden of care and feeling of hopelessness. Hasan and Adil (2019) stated families abandon people with schizophrenia to protect their social outlook and financial status.…”