Children who have parents with mental illness are typically considered "at-risk" for a variety of conditions, such as increased psychopathology and lower self-esteem. Research generally examines children and adolescents who have parents with mental illness and often relies on parents and professionals as data sources. Yet, relatively little is known about the experiences of young adults coping with parents with mental illness from their own perspective, especially as it relates to their experience of personal loss due to their parents' mental illness, their religious experiences, and the meaning the ascribe to their experience.
The present qualitative research examined the narratives of nine young adults coping with parents with mental illness, focusing specifically on their experiences of personal loss due to their parents' mental illness, their faith journeys and associated spiritual struggles, and the perceived impact of coping with a parent with mental illness. Results suggest that individuals who are experiencing personal loss in their lives to a greater extent also feel more confused on their faith journey, experience more spiritual struggle, and feel more negatively impacted as a result of their parents' mental illness. Participants feeling less personal loss in their lives, on the other hand, tended to feel more content on their faith journey, experience less spiritual struggle, and feel more positively impacted by their parents' mental illness. However, all participants described various strengths associated with their life circumstance, such as feeling independent, strong, and compassionate. Implications for the use of qualitative research among marginalized groups are discussed, as well as directions for future research.