‘Rip That Book up, I've Changed’: Unveiling the Experiences of Women Living with and Surviving Enduring Mental Illness

McKay, Elizabeth Anne

Abstract

The lives of women with an enduring mental illness have been little researched within occupational therapy. This study explored the experiences of five women living with enduring mental illness in their communities. The women were interviewed over a 2-year period using the life history method. Data were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data set was analysed in two ways. First, from the narrative analysis, an individual unique narrative of each woman's life was created. Secondly, the data were analysed using the constant comparative method. This paper presents the findings from the constant comparative analysis.

Six themes were identified, which lifted the veil on the experience of living with and surviving enduring mental illness. Each theme represented a section of the women's lived experiences: a specific frame of the bigger picture of their lives. The themes were present life, life roles, relationships, illness transitions, help and cultural context.

The findings highlighted the complex life roles and needs of the women over time. They unveiled how the women became agents in creating a better life for themselves and others. Practitioners have a role to play in creating meaningful and safe environments that encourage social inclusion and recovery.

Citation

McKay, E. A. (2010). ‘Rip That Book up, I've Changed’: Unveiling the Experiences of Women Living with and Surviving Enduring Mental Illness. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73(3), 96-105. https://doi.org/10.4276/030802210x12682330090370

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 14, 2009
• Publication Date: Mar 1, 2010
• Deposit Date: Mar 8, 2018
• Journal: British Journal of Occupational Therapy
• Print ISSN: 0308-0226
• Electronic ISSN: 1477-6006
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 73
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 96-105
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4276/030802210x12682330090370
• Keywords: Enduring Mental Illness, Women's Lived Experience, Life History,
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/1085246