Abstract
The purpose of this research study was to understand the relationship with social support and coping along with stress related growth in adults with mental illness. The research study sample involved six adults with a serious and persistent mental illness that were part of an assisted living and intentional community program. The methodology used in this research study was qualitative and semi-structured interviews. Findings included demographic information as to the age, education, and religious and/or spiritual status of the study participants. Data content analysis of the semi-structured interviews revealed themes of social support, learning from others, coping with feelings and stress, managing conflict and assertiveness, and people reaction's to mental illness. Research participants did perceive receiving social support and being able to cope as helpful. Stress related growth was concluded based on the responses from research participants in semi-structured interviews and the use of the general meaning making model.