Background it is not known whether mothers with psychotic disorders are cli
nically and socially distinct from women with psychoses who have not had ch
ildren.
Aims To determine the proportion of mothers in an epidemiologically represe
ntative population of women with psychotic disorders, to examine the factor
s associated with having children, and to examine the factors associated wi
th having children 'looked after' by social services.
Method Descriptive analysis and two case - control studies.
Results Sixty-three per cent of women with psychotic disorders were mothers
. There were no clinical differences between women with or without children
, but mothers were more likely to be older and live in unsupported accommod
ation. Having had a 'looked after' child was associated with Mental Health
Act detention, younger age, a forensic history and being Black African.
Conclusion Many women with psychoses are mothers. Mothers with psychoses ar
e as disabled and have as many needs as women with psychoses without childr
en.
Declaration of interest L.M.H, was funded by the Wellcome Trust as part of
a Wellcome Trust Research Training Fellowship in health services research.