Mothers With a Serious Mental Illness: A Critical Review of the Literature

The desire to mother in women with a serious mental illness (SMI) is increasingly recognized by health care professionals. Defining women with an SMI strictly in terms of cause, course, and treatment overshadows the diversity of their role as a mother. A review of the literature reveals that limited published research exists on the subjective experiences of mothers with an SMI. Often, the reviewed studies reinforce mothers as pathological. Viewed as lacking mothering abilities, they are not recognized as mothers. This article critically examines how the literature about mothers with an SMI has contributed to their marginalized position. To this end, a literature review was undertaken and examined from Oliver's theoretical notion of subjectivity from the marginalized or “othered” position [Oliver, K. (2001). Witnessing: Beyond Recognition. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press]. Subjectivity based on witnessing a mother's self-identity creates possibilities that are not exclusionary because of her difference secondary to illness.