“A mother somewhere between life and death”: a qualitative study of mothers diagnosed with bipolar disorder within a feminist social work framework
- 1Department of Social Work, School of Health Sciences, Istanbul Medipol University
- 2Department of Social Work, Faculty of Health Sciences, Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University
- 3Department of Social Work, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kütahya Health Sciences University
Abstract
Objective: To examine how women diagnosed with bipolar disorder experience and negotiate motherhood through a critical-feminist social work lens.
Methods: This study conducted a supplementary qualitative secondary analysis within a qualitative design informed by a critical-feminist epistemological position. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews with eight unemployed mothers receiving treatment at the psychiatry clinic of a foundation university hospital in Türkiye were reanalyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. The analysis combined inductive coding with theoretically informed critical-feminist interpretation.
Results: Six themes captured constrained maternal identity, interruptions to everyday caregiving, guilt and maternal self-evaluation, perceived fragility in mother–child relationships, motherhood as a source of meaning and strength, and shifting family support roles ranging from ordinary assistance to one explicit account of perceived role reversal. These accounts were interpreted in relation to gendered motherhood norms, family authority, and material constraints.
Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for gender-sensitive, family-oriented psychosocial interventions for mothers diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Related
- RUNX1 Familial Platelet Disorder with Associated Myeloid Malignancies Initially Diagnosed as Immune Thrombocytopenia and Reclassified After 10 Years: Diagnostic Pitfall Revealed by a Family History
- Methotrexate-induced Other Iatrogenic Immunodeficiency-associated Lymphoproliferative Disorder with Diffuse Ground-glass Opacities Diagnosed Using a Cryobiopsy
- Experiences of being diagnosed with unruptured intracranial aneurysm in a population-based health survey: A qualitative interview study.
- Clinical-Radiological Discordance in the Detection of Chronic Constipation in Children Newly Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Retrospective Study.
- Exploring consumer and carer experiences of a therapeutic group yoga program for eating disorder recovery: a qualitative pilot study.
BibTeX
@article{meydan2026mother,
title = {{“A mother somewhere between life and death”: a qualitative study of mothers diagnosed with bipolar disorder within a feminist social work framework}},
author = {Selda Meydan and Emel Yurtsever and Mustafa Karataş},
journal = {Frontiers in Psychiatry},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1951897},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1951897/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - “A mother somewhere between life and death”: a qualitative study of mothers diagnosed with bipolar disorder within a feminist social work framework
AU - Selda Meydan
AU - Emel Yurtsever
AU - Mustafa Karataş
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - Frontiers in Psychiatry
DO - 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1951897
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1951897/full
AB - Objective: To examine how women diagnosed with bipolar disorder experience and negotiate motherhood through a critical-feminist social work lens. Methods: This study conducted a supplementary qualitative secondary analysis within a qualitative design informed by a critical-feminist epistemological position. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews with eight unemployed mothers receiving treatment at the psychiatry clinic of a foundation university hospital in Türkiye were reanalyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. The analysis combined inductive coding with theoretically informed critical-feminist interpretation. Results: Six themes captured constrained maternal identity, interruptions to everyday caregiving, guilt and maternal self-evaluation, perceived fragility in mother–child relationships, motherhood as a source of meaning and strength, and shifting family support roles ranging from ordinary assistance to one explicit account of perceived role reversal. These accounts were interpreted in relation to gendered motherhood norms, family authority, and material constraints. Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for gender-sensitive, family-oriented psychosocial interventions for mothers diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
SN - 1664-0640
ER -