Sexual and reproductive rights in women with a diagnosis of severe mental disorder: arguments and consensus of community mental health professionals

This study explores the arguments of mental health practitioners around the exercise or infringement of sexual and reproductive rights of women with a severe mental health diagnosis, in order to both gain insight and establish priorities for further research and intervention actions in the field. Data has been collected applying the Delphy method and a thematic content analysis has been carried out. The results and analysis show evidence that gender interacts with the social stigma associated with severe mental health conditions, positioning these women in vulnerable social situations, which has a negative effect on exercising their sexual and reproductive rights. These negative effects become evident both in the ambit of their sexuality, which appears characterized by taboo and medicalisation, and in the reproductory sphere, which is characterized by reproductive control and where they are seen as incompetent mothers. Because of the above generated views, these women are placed in oppressive and abusive situations. In conclusion, the following elements have been identified for further research: stigma attached to diagnosis of the severe mental health condition, the exercise of the symbolic power over the construction of subjectivity and there production of social exclusion. Finally, social action guidelines are proposed, leading to the revision of resources, the recognition of women with severe mental health conditions and the establishment processes with the participation of scientific and professional fields as well as the women and their families.