The experiences of fathers with psychosis

Abstract

Background: Fathers with psychosis have often been ignored by the research community.Aims: This project was designed to explore some of the potential issues concerning this group.Method: This study involves a qualitative investigation into the experiences of 10 white fathers who have a diagnosis of psychosis (schizophrenia, schizoaffective or other psychotic-type disorder). The collected data was analysed by means of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.Results: This study found that psychosis may directly and indirectly undermine the father-child relationship and the work of parenting. The fear of one's children inheriting psychosis is a concern amongst this group. In the process of fulfilling the role of fatherhood, men with psychosis benefit from a sense of pride in the father role, a sense of purpose to one's life, a feeling of pleasure in the creation and development of life, and motivation to change for the better.Conclusions: Treatment and care programmes need to be sensitive to the effects of fatherhood on psychosis and the effects of a father's psychosis on the mental health of his family. Extra support during the first months of fatherhood, parenting programmes and systemic approaches might help fathers with psychosis and their families.