Experiences with involuntary hospitalization: a qualitative study of mothers of adult children with schizophrenia

Objective: Despite their involvement, families' experiences with civil commitment has received very little attention. The purpose of this study was to describe mothers' experiences with the involuntary hospitalization of their adult child suffering from schizophrenia. Methods: A qualitative design using phenomenology was employed in order to obtain perceptions and accounts of experiences. The respondents were drawn from a population living the experience of the phenomenon being studied. Face to face, open-ended interviews were conducted with three mothers and the narratives were transcribed verbatim. Analysis of the transcriptions involved the identification of descriptive expressions and ultimately common elements. Results: A synthesis of the common elements indicate that experiences with involuntary hospitalization for mothers of adult children with schizophrenia have been very demeaning and result in them feeling baffled, victimized, anxious and unfairly judged. Conclusions: Overall, mothers feel inadequately supported by the health care system, and encounters with providers within the system are perceived as being very negative. It is hoped that this study will shed light on mothers' experiences with involuntary hospitalization so that health care providers will be able to make a very difficult situation less stressful.