Living with mental illness and child removal

Objective: The purpose of this article is to explore the lived experience of having a child removed by child protection services for mothers living with mental illness. Method: This phenomenological study collected data from eight mothers through in-depth interviews. Data were analysed using interpr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAdvances in mental health Vol. 19; no. 2; pp. 164 - 175
Main Authors Honey, Anne, Miceli, Melissa, Mayes, Rachel
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Maleny Routledge 04.05.2021
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects
Child & adolescent psychiatry
child protection
child removal
Child welfare
Coping
Coping strategies
Foster care
Mental disorders
Mental health services
Mothers
Pain
parents
Parents & parenting
Qualitative research
Social services
Australia
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Summary:Objective: The purpose of this article is to explore the lived experience of having a child removed by child protection services for mothers living with mental illness. Method: This phenomenological study collected data from eight mothers through in-depth interviews. Data were analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis. Results: The overall phenomenon of living with child removal was found to consist of four overarching essential components: chaotic lives pre-removal; pain and loss; protecting myself; and constrained mothering. Discussion: Mothers need support to manage the suffering associated with child removal in the context of already chaotic lives. Parenting and mental health services are in a position to assist mothers to develop adaptive coping strategies and minimise maladaptive strategies.
ISSN:1838-7357
1837-4905
DOI:10.1080/18387357.2019.1614884