The Family Experience of Mental Illness: Evidence for Resilience

A national survey was used to explore the potential for resilience among family members of people with mental illness. The sample included 131 family members: mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, and extended family members. Responding to open-ended questions, parti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychiatric rehabilitation journal 1996-10, Vol.20 (2), p.3-12
Main Authors: Marsh, Diane T, Lefley, Harriet P, Evans-Rhodes, Debra, Ansell, Vanessa I, Doerzbacher, Brenda M, LaBarbera, Laura, Paluzzi, Joan E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adjustment
Bipolar Disorder
Consumer Behavior
Coping Behavior
Family Members
Family Relations
Female
Human
Major Depression
Male
Mental Disorders
Mental Illness
Personality Disorders
Psychological Endurance
Schizoaffective Disorder
Schizophrenia
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Summary:A national survey was used to explore the potential for resilience among family members of people with mental illness. The sample included 131 family members: mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, and extended family members. Responding to open-ended questions, participants were asked to describe any family, personal, or consumer strengths that had developed as a result of the mental illness. Family resilience was reported by 87.8% of participants. Personal resilience was reported by 99.2%; and consumer resilience by 75.6%. Components of these composite scores were identified. Implications of these findings are discussed, and suggestions for professional practice are offered.
ISSN:1095-158X
1559-3126
DOI:10.1037/h0095390