Being a child of a parent with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder: A qualitative study

Abstract

Children of people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder encounter great difficulties in coping with the symptoms of the disorders. The study was conducted to determine the feelings, opinions, life experiences, and needs of the children of parents with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. This is a descriptive study conducted using the in-depth interview design, a qualitative method. The sample consisted of 19 children who agreed to participate in the study with parental consent. Data were collected using a personal information form and a semi-structured qualitative interview form. The data were analyzed using the thematic analysis method. As a result of the thematic analysis, five main themes were obtained: Parents from children's eyes, living with parents, social pressure, coping strategies, this life with one word. The study concluded that children of parents followed up for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder struggle with many individual and social difficulties. These children have feelings of fear, embarrassment, or anger with this life experience; encounter social exclusion; and are overwhelmed with heavy responsibilities at an early age. Their coping strategies can be maladaptive, such as smoking or alcohol consumption, thinking of eloping, becoming introverted, and so on.