Living with a loved one's mental illness:

Research Highlights by Dr Emma Senior

At the Ripple Pond, we know that caring for a loved one experiencing psychological injury can be tough. The early years can be particularly isolating, with family or chosen family members often taking on the role of carer, managing appointments, medication, crises planning and emotional support – forgetting to manage their own wellbeing.

Historically, there has been a lack of research around this – but that’s all about to change…

Research by Dr Emma Senior at Northumbria University explores the lived experiences of military spouses whose partners suffer from mental health issues—a topic with limited existing research. The lack of evidence is attributed to factors like global austerity, underfunded armed forces, and inadequate healthcare systems, which often leave spouses as primary caregivers. Using biographical methods and semi-structured interviews with nine participants, the study employed an analytical framework to capture rich, thematic narratives. Stories were structured into three stages: ‘in the beginning’, ‘changing times’, and ‘this is me’. Thematic analysis revealed six main categories and 21 subcategories.

Key findings highlight the emotional and psychological strain spouses endure, especially before their partner’s mental health diagnosis.

However, despite challenges like emotional detachment and invisibility, participants also reported personal growth, resilience, and stronger relationships.

These experiences are encapsulated in the proposed Relationship Trajectory Model, emphasising the need for early recognition and support.

If you’re interested in finding out more about this research, you can read it in full here.