Introduction: The aim of the study was to investigate maternal self-image and self-assessment of parental attitudes in women with schizophrenia. Materials and methods: The study used an original demographic questionnaire, “Maternal self-image in the context of psychiatric disease” questionnaire (an authoring tool), Family Rating Scale, Parenting Attitudes Scale and Self-Esteem Scale. Results: The study showed a number of significant differences in the functioning of mothers with and without schizophrenia. Significant differences were found in self-esteem: schizophrenic mothers had lower self-esteem than healthy mothers. Differences were also found in the qualities of the family system the in perception of healthy and unhealthy mothers. Health status of women diagnosed with schizophrenia is a factor that makes it difficult to function as a mother. The disease contributes to difficulties in fulfilling parental responsibilities. Conclusions: The main conclusion is that there are undeniable differences in maternal self-perception between women diagnosed with schizophrenia and healthy women (without psychiatric diagnosis). Affected mothers display parental attitudes that are based on demanding and protection. These two dimensions mutually produce an image of control held over the child, which may limit their freedom. Excessive demanding and protecting – presented simultaneously – can lead to a strong, symbiotic connection between the mother and her child, which, according to old transgenerational concepts, can be one of the risk factors for developing schizophrenia or other psychological problems in the future. Results presented in this article became a stimulus to continue research as part of doctoral thesis.

schizophrenia, self-image of people with schizophrenia, motherhood of women with schizophrenic diagnosis, parentification