| Summary: | The experience of resilient youth living with mentally ill parents is not addressed in the
literature. Despite a decade of studies on resiliency, no standardized definition of
resilience exists. Hence, one was created, based on research findings in the literature.
An open-ended, semi-structured interview format was used to interview five women and
one man raised in a home with a mentally ill parent. The experience was found as one of
chaos, isolation and pain. The candidates underwent much soul searching as they
developed from young to older teenagers. Support of an adult outside the home was cited
as significant to their effective coping. In addition, involvement in extracurricular
activities, sports and hobbies provided escape from the problems and unpredictable
events at home. Acceptance of their parents' illness was associated with maturity. That
is during their early teen years the youth experienced anger and frustration at their
parents' inability to meet their needs. Nevertheless, while they still experienced pain due
to their parents' erratic behavior, in their late teens the candidates developed empathy and
understanding for their ill parents. All of the candidates cited understanding of their
parents illness as key to their own healing. Unfortunately, schools were not viewed as
sources of support for youth nor were mental health professionals. Candidate
recommendations of how schools and professionals could support youth of parents with a
mental illness are mentioned. Since no studies have attempted to address the lived
experience of resilient adolescents of parents with a mental illness this study does. It is
hoped the findings can enhance the concept of resiliency and provide suggestions for
advancing assistance for youth of mentally ill parents. === Education, Faculty of === Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of === Graduate
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