Experiences of Spouses Raising Their Children while Living with Partners Who Have Mental Disorders

Abstract

Purpose: This qualitative study aimed to describe the experiences of spouses who are raising their children while living with partners who have mental disorders.

Methods: Individual interviews were conducted with 10 spouses (8 wives and 2 husbands) raising children aged under 18 years. The transcripts were descriptively analyzed.

Results: The following six categories of spouse experiences emerged: (1) Confused and bombarded by their partner’s mental illness; (2) Driven into a corner with a lower quality of life due to worsening disease conditions; (3) Anxiety about providing explanations to their children and the effects of the partner’s illness on them; (4) Isolation due to stigma and a lack of understanding of the illness; (5) Rescue by someone who understands and offers support; and (6) Wondering whether to continue the marriage. Consequently, these experiences led the spouses to contemplate whether to continue the marriage.

Discussion: Learning opportunities, supporting spouses to accept their partner’s disorder, opportunities to better understand their social support, and support for children must be provided to spouses who want to continue their marriage.