Children visiting parents in inpatient psychiatric facilities: Perspectives of parents, carers, and children

Abstract

A significant number of clients utilizing mental health services will also be parents. Being a child of a parent with mental illness increases health risks for the child, and hospitalization of the parent has been identified as one of the most difficult times for children. However, few proactive measures have been taken to understand or provide for the needs of children visiting psychiatric inpatient facilities. The aim of this exploratory study was to identify the perspectives children, their parents, nominated carers, and clinicians from their experience of children visiting. The study used qualitative data gathered from interviews to develop an understanding of the issues. The purpose of this paper was to present the findings from parents, carers, and children. Children indicated that they wanted to visit and to remain involved with their parent, but that there was little support from staff. Families indicated that children visiting psychiatric inpatient facilities were not well managed, and they received little support about decisions around children visiting. The issue of children visiting psychiatric facilities when they have a parent who is an inpatient appears not to have been addressed in models of inpatient mental health care.

Addressing the support needs of families during the acute hospitalization of a parent with mental illness: A narrative literature review

“…O'Brien et al . () also found parents reported self‐stigma in the form of fear of anyone knowing that they were in ‘this kind of hospital’ (mental health unit). Fathers felt ashamed of their hospital admission, and were reluctant to be visited by their children.…”

“…Children identified that leaving their parent following a visit was particularly difficult (O'Brien et al . ). They also expressed concerns regarding getting transport to visit their hospitalized parent, difficulty having their daily needs met due to financial concerns in the family, and the effects of medication on their parent (Maybery et al .…”

“…Children also expressed a need for someone to talk to about their parent and the visit (O'Brien et al . ).…”

“…In the present review, it was apparent that carers and other family members want increased communication with health professionals, as well as information and emotional support, particularly during crisis periods (O'Brien et al . ). Children want to feel welcome on the mental health unit and to have positive experiences during the visit, feel included in decision‐making, and be educated about their parent's mental illness (O'Brien et al .…”

Towards relational recovery: Nurses’ practices with consumers and families with dependent children in mental health inpatient units

“…; O'Brien et al . ). These policies can create a framework that facilitates the parent–child relationship and family connections as part of the recovery plan, by specifying the required skills necessary to implement family‐focused practice (Foster et al .…”