Mothers’ Perspectives on Their Child's Mental Illness as Compared to Other Complex Disorders in Their Family: Insights to Inform Genetic Counseling Practice

• DOI: 10.1007/s10897-011-9420-7
• Publication Date: 2011-11-17T09:04:57Z
• Authors: Denise M. Lautenbach; Susan Hiraki; MaryAnn W. Campion; Jehannine C. Austin
• Keywords: Thematic Analysis

Abstract To facilitate the development of a therapeutic alliance in genetic counseling, it is important that counselor understands how families might perceive condition constitutes reason for referral. Through training and professional practice, counselors develop thorough understanding families’ perceptions conditions are common indications counseling. But, referral less frequent, like serious mental illnesses, may feel confident their family's experience, or ability to provide psychosocial support when illness reported family history. This impede establishment alliance. As research shows most referrals counseling related female first‐degree members affected individuals, we sought explore this group perceives illness. frame reference with which be more familiar, explored women perceived compared other complex disorders family. We conducted semi‐structured interviews who had child (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder) relative another disorder (diabetes, heart disease, cancer). Interviews were transcribed subjected thematic analysis. Saturation was reached nine participated. Serious as being severe having greater impact on than diabetes, cancer. Themes identified included guilt, stigma, loss. Some issues contribute mothers’ could effectively addressed Developing heightened awareness experience relative's help better able group, whether primary appears history during different reason.