Lived experience of couples in conjugal relationship where one partner has mental illness: a qualitative phenomenological study

Abstract

Background: Mental illness leads dissolution in conjugal relationship. Both partners with mental illness and without mental illness experienced interpersonal detachment, weakening relationship, emotional upswing, poor parental activity, and problem in daily marital life roles to manage. They had financial problem also, so it is quite difficult for couples who have mental illness to survive happily in conjugal life. Aim: This study’s aimed to explore the lived experience of couples in conjugal relationship where one partner has mental illness. Methods: A qualitative, phenomenological study design was applied for investigation. Purposive sampling method was operated for sample participants which helped for rich description and depth information. In-depth semi structured; face-to-face interview was used from participants by voluntarily through self-development interview guide. Seven couples were selected where one partner has mental illness from National Institute of Mental Health, for participation in investigation. Thematic analysis was utilised for data analysis according to Braun and Clarke’s six steps. Results: Six themes and sub-themes appeared from data analysis; couples in conjugal relationship where both partners experienced misconduct with each other, suspiciousness found among couples, emotional distress was found into both partners, detrimental effects was found on life partners, adverse effects on couples relationship, partner with mental illness had fascination for another partner, couples conjugal responsibilities was declined and partners with mental illness were uncooperative in household roles. However, couples with mental illness have difficulties to maintain their marital life. Abstract Abstract Conclusion: This study invented lived experience of conjugal couples where one partner has mental illness, so the key result of the study is mental illness had negative effect in couples’ relationship, they had to live their marital life with struggling. Both partner with mental illness and partner without mental illness faced difficulties in relationship that leads to relationship breakdown, interpersonal detachment, diminished sexual affinity, partner without mental illness faced burden for household roles. So, health professionals should more concern in mental health disorder for maintaining marital life. Keywords: Mental illness, lived experience, conjugal relationship, couple, partner