Love, loss, and learning: the experiences of fathers who have children diagnosed with schizophrenia

The purpose of the present study was to give voice to fathers of young adult children diagnosed with schizophrenia within the past 10 years. A qualitative, phenomenological method was used to explore and describe the fathering experiences of the 6 volunteer participants. The findings suggest that mental health professionals should recognize the needs and important role of fathers in the lives of their children who have schizophrenia. Suggestions are provided for counselors working with this population.
The onset of schizophrenia in the family has been described as "a disaster in which all are victims of the event and its sequelae" (Terkelsen, 1987, p. 128). Early signs [...]