[Developmental problems in young adults suffering from mental illness: results from an in-depth interview study].

Objective: This study aimed at investigating the impact of mental illness on the general psycho-social development of young adults.

Methods: Results from an in-depth interview study with 16 young adults (20 to 31 years old) suffering from mental illness are presented. Particularly, illness-related issues were explored from the perspective of developmental psychology.

Results: Coping with typical developmental tasks of early adulthood (e. g. autonomy; intimate relationships; vocational training) is impeded. At the same time, young patients wish as much normality as possible in their daily life, e. g. social contacts with not-affected peers. In many cases, young adults affected try to maintain a cautious distance to psychiatric facilities as well as to other patients.

Conclusions: Young people suffering from mental illness are in a complicated process of identity formation, as they have to integrate the illness into their self-concept and their daily life (illness-identity work). Hence, their assistance needs are different from those of older patients. It is a challenge for community based psychiatry to provide help offers which meet the specific requirements of young mentally ill people.