title: Compounding vulnerability: pregnancy and schizophrenia.
abstract: The predominant ethical framework for addressing reproductive decisions in the maternal-fetal relationship is respect for the woman's autonomy. However, when a pregnant schizophrenic woman lacks such autonomy, healthcare providers try to both protect her and respect her preferences. By delineating etic (objective) and emic (subjective) perspectives on vulnerability, I argue that options which balance both perspectives are preferable and that acting on etic perspectives to the exclusion of emic considerations is rarely justified. In negotiating perspectives, we balance the etic commitment to protect the vulnerable patient and her fetus from harm with the emic concern to empower a decisionally incapacitated woman. Equilibrium is best achieved by nurturing interdependent relationships that empower and protect the vulnerable woman. The analysis points to the need for better social support for mentally ill patients.
authors.affiliation: University of Washington School of Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: Denise M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Dudzinski
mesh_terms: D000023:Abortion Applicants / Q000523:psychology*; D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000941:ethics*; D000328:Adult; D026686:Beneficence; D003657:Decision Making; D033061:Ethics Consultation; D026690:Ethics, Clinical; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D006801:Humans; D007872:Legal Guardians; D033261:Maternal-Fetal Relations; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000523:psychology; D028681:Moral Obligations; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000941:ethics; D011788:Quality of Life; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012944:Social Support; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000523:psychology