- Title
- Exploring the nature of the parent-child relationship and well- being of adolescents in families with a current history of maternal mental illness in a semi-urban area in East London, Eastern Cape
- Creator
- Phakane, Siphokazi
- Subject
- Parent and child
- Subject
- Adolescent psychology
- Subject
- Mental illness
- Date Issued
- 2024-12
- Date
- 2024-12
- Type
- Master's theses
- Type
- text
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10948/69838
- Identifier
- vital:78039
- Description
- Parent mental illness can detrimentally impact family functioning, thereby leading to increased conflicts, reduced adaptability, limited cohesion, and disorganised everyday planning (Smith, 2018). However, the specific effects of maternal mental illness on the relationship between mothers and adolescents, as well as on adolescent social and psychological development, remain unclear (Jones & Brown, 2020). This study aimed to explore and describe the nature of the parent-child relationship and the well-being of adolescents in families with a current history of maternal mental illness. Drawing from Bowlby's Ethological Theory of Attachment (1969) and from Ainsworth’s Attachment Theory (1970), qualitative research methods were employed to delve into these dynamics. The participants encompassed mothers aged between 30 to 60 with a current history of mental illness and adolescents aged between 15 to 18 residing with a mother with a current history of mental illness, and who is in remission. The study was conducted in a semi-urban area in East London, which is characterised by high unemployment rates, low education levels, and social stressors impacting mental health and family dynamics (Clark et al., 2019). Data collection involved face-to-face interviews, as well as utilising non-probability purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Braun and Clarke's (2006) framework was utilised for data interpretation, thus ensuring the adherence to the research ethics and to the trustworthiness standards as outlined by Lincoln and Guba (1985). The findings revealed both challenges and strengths in these families. The adolescents expressed concerns about the lack of parental support, coerced autonomy, and communication barriers. However, they also reported positive experiences of companionship and nurturing from their mothers. Emotional regulation difficulties and socio-economic challenges were prevalent, thus highlighting the need for tailored targeted support interventions to address the complex issues that are faced by the adolescents in the families which are affected by maternal mental illness. Overall, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the nuanced
- Description
- Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Behavioural & Lifestyle Sciences, 2024
- Format
- computer
- Format
- online resource
- Format
- application/pdf
- Format
- 1 online resource (147 pages)
- Format
- Publisher
- Nelson Mandela University
- Publisher
- Faculty of Health Sciences
- Language
- English
- Rights
- Nelson Mandela University
- Rights
- All Rights Reserved
- Rights
- Open Access
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- Visitors: 10
- Downloads: 2
Collections
NMU School of Behavioural Sciences
| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | SOURCE1 | Phakane, S December 2024.pdf | 3 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |