Mother-Daughter Relationships in the Recovery and Rehabilitation of Women with Major Depression

Abstract

This qualitative study examined the relationship between mothers with major depression and their adult daughters. Five themes emerged from individual interviews with twelve mother-daughter dyads including, enduring emotional bond, evolving as a mother, ongoing problems in connecting, advocacy and self-help, and mutual support. Findings indicated that despite challenges resulting from the mother's symptoms of depression, the relationship undoubtedly played a critical role in the mother's recovery. Recommendations are made for therapists on addressing issues that result from a mother's major depression, improving communication in the mother-adult daughter relationship, and utilizing family psychoeducation, and self-help and advocacy services.

KEYWORDS:

• parenting
• major depression
• serious mental illness
• recovery
• mother

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors wish to thank Dr. Sally Rogers for her research mentorship and support.