Family education and support: just for women only?
Studies of education and support programs for families of adults with mental illness' show that the majority of participants are women. In examining why women are more likely than men to take part in these programs, this article reviews the role of women in caring for an adult with mental illness, with a focus on the demands experienced by mothers, sisters, and adult daughters. Given that most family education and support program participants are caring for male relatives, the differences in the demands of providing care to male versus female relatives also are explored. The ways in which education and support programs may be geared toward helping women cope with their unique caregiving demands, as well as methods to increase the participation of men in these programs, are discussed.
Pickett-Schenk
Susan A
SA
Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 60603, USA. pickett@psych.uic.edu
D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005196:Family Therapy; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012944:Social Support; D014481:United States; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*