Assisting Adults with Severe Mental Illness in Transitioning from Parental Homes to Independent Living

ISSN： 0010-3853

Source： Community Mental Health Journal, Vol.46, Iss.4, 2010-08, pp. : 372-380

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Abstract

This study explores mental health professionals’ practices with adult clients and their parents at the departure of the clients’ transition from the parental home to independent living. Using grounded theory methodology, the author interviewed 24 case managers in Assertive Community Treatment programs in Wisconsin and applied dimensional analysis to identify and categorize concepts in verbatim transcripts. Different client-parent relationships were sampled to compare practices on client independent living. Results show that case managers considered client independent living a desirable social norm and a practical approach to addressing long-term care concerns. Based on the status of parental approval of independent living, case managers applied various strategies to foster helpful parental emotional boundaries with clients in order to facilitate client independence. The author discussed implications for practice and suggested future research on clients’ and parents’ perspectives on independent living and the short-term and long-term effects of the transition on their well-being.