Helping Aging Parents of Adult Children with Serious Mental Illness

Abstract

This manuscript reports the results of a study that pilot tested a home-delivered, multi-dimensional problem-solving intervention aimed at helping aging parental caregivers of adult children with schizophrenia. The results indicate that the participants (N=5) who received the 10-session intervention showed increased life satisfaction and emotional well being, and reduced feelings of burden, compared to those participants in the control group (N=10). If a planned larger scale evaluation of the intervention provides evidence of its effectiveness, practitioners could have a valuable new treatment tool to provide assistance to this caregiver population.

Parents Caring For Adult Children With Serious Mental Illness

“…Parents often become caregivers for their adult children with SMI due to the chronic and debilitating course of the illness (Chan, 2011; Ferriter & Huband, 2003; Kaufman, Scogin, MacNeil, Leeper, & Wimberly, 2010; Provencher, Perreault, St-Onge, & Rousseau, 2003; Rimmerman, Shabat, & Winstok, 2003; Stein, Aguirre, & Hunt, 2013; St-Hilaire, Hill, & Doherty, 2007). It is estimated that between one third and two thirds of adult children with SMI live with their parents at one time after discharge from the hospital and depend on their families for assistance and continued involvement (Chan, 2011; Kaufman et al, 2010). Many adult children are living with aging parents.…”

“…Statistics on the ages of parent caregivers are limited. The World Federation for Mental Health in 2007 noted that most parent caregivers are in their 50s or 60s (Kaufman et al, 2010). In a small survey conducted on subjective burden among older parents caring for adult children with SMI, the average age of the parents ( N = 69), mostly mothers, was 63.9 ± 3.5 years (Aschbrenner, Greenberg, Allen, & Seltzer, 2010, p. 2).…”

“…Parent caregivers frequently play a vital role in the care and recovery of their adult children with SMI by providing housing, financial assistance, emotional support, case management, and advocacy (Dixon, Adams, & Lucksted, 2000: Jewell, Downing, & McFarlane, 2009; Provencher et al, 2003). Dealing with SMI is a significant health challenge that can be disruptive and burdensome to the family (Chan, 2011; Chang & Horrocks, 2006; Kaufman et al, 2010; Saunders, 2003; Stein et al, 2013). Overall family functioning is frequently affected as parents manage disabling symptoms such as hallucinations, paranoia, delusions, social withdrawal, mood swings, and lack of motivation such as apathy and isolation (Gerson & Rose, 2012).…”

“…The literature on the role of the family involvement in caring for a loved one with SMI has examined caregiver burden and stress (Aschbrenner et al, 2010; Champlin, 2009; Chan, 2011; Doornbos, 2001; Gerson & Rose, 2012; Huey, Lefley, Shern, & Wainscott, 2007; Mackay & Pakenham, 2011; Perlick, Rosenheck, Clarkin, Raue, & Sirey, 2001; Saunders, 2003; Ostacher et al, 2008), stigma (Chang & Horrocks, 2006; Henderson, Evans-Lacko, & Thornicroft, 2013; Michaels et al, 2014; Perlick et al, 2011; St-Hilaire et al, 2007; Wright, Jorm, & Mackinnon, 2011; Zauszniewski, Bekhet, & Suresky, 2009), unmet needs of the patient and family (Bogart & Solomon, 1999; Lysaker & Roe, 2012; Prince, 2005; Riebschleger et al, 2008; Shor & Birnbaum, 2012; Spaniol & Zipple, 1988), and the importance of psychoeducation (Dixon et al, 2001; Glynn, Cohen, & Niv, 2007; Jewell et al, 2009; Kreyenbuhl, Buchanan, Dickerson, & Dixon, 2010; Lehman, Steinwachs, & Co-Investigators of the PORT Project, 1998; ; Luciano et al, 2012; Sherman et al, 2009) and social support for families (Beebe, 2010; Gerson & Rose, 2012; Hendryx, Green, & Perrin, 2009; Kaufman et al, 2010; Rimmerman et al, 2003). Several qualitative studies have examined the care practices of parents, coping, and stages of parental adjustment to an adult child with SMI (Chang & Horrocks, 2006; Chesla, 1991; Muhlbauer, 2002).…”

Shared reality of the abusive and the vulnerable: the experience of aging for parents living with abusive adult children coping with mental disorder

“…An experience of shared reality, in which older parents live with abusive adult children, is known as part of the elder abuse phenomenon (Lachs and Pillemer, 2004). It is estimated that between 35% and 75% of adults with mental illness reside with family members, especially parents (Kaufman et al , 2010). The purpose of this paper is to describe the daily aging experience of parents abused by an adult child with mental disorder, its impact on their life, and the challenges they confront in this shared reality.…”