Marriage experience may differ from the general population for patients with schizophrenia. Therefore, the current study was designed to explore the experience of marriage for patients with schizophrenia in a Palestinian context. This qualitative narrative study was conducted using purposive sampling method to recruit 30 patients with schizophrenia. Five main themes emerged while exploring the marriage experience of patients: (1) marriage affected patients positively, (2) female patients suffering with marriage more than male patients, (3) patients and their families struggled with social stigma, (4) feeling blessed of having children versus taking the blame, and (5) deciding on behalf of the patients. Results showed that patients with schizophrenia described marriage as a source of support for their recovery process. The male patients reported that it was easier to get married than females. Also, all patients reported that they are extremely reluctant to admit that they or any of their family members have schizophrenia. Most patients were very positive about having children. Finally, they admitted that their families have a significant control over their life, and this includes marriage decisions. Marriage experience can improve patient’s life, having children may help the patients be better in their recovery process, and that most of them encouraged others to do the same and get married. Future studies are recommended to test other factors that may mitigate the effect of schizophrenia and improve lifestyles among patients.

العنوان

Journal of psychosocial rehabilitation and mental health (PRMH)

الناشر

Springer Nature India Private Limited 2022

بلد الناشر

الهند

نوع المنشور

Both (Printed and Online)

المجلد

10

السنة

22

الصفحات

9