How Caregivers Make Meaning of Child Mental Health Problems: Toward Understanding Caregiver Strain and Help Seeking

Abstract

Family caregivers’ conceptualizations of their child’s emotional and behavioral problems (EBP) influence help-seeking for the child and caregiver strain. We analyzed 21 interviews with caregivers to explore their conceptualizations about the cause of their child’s EBP, their experiences of strain, and their reported help-seeking behaviors. Caregivers had divergent conceptualizations of their child’s EBP: 12 caregivers viewed the EBP as caused by a disorder and described the onset of symptoms as the central stressful event, whereas 9 caregivers described their child’s problems as a response to an earlier stressor (e.g. trauma, abuse, divorce). Different patterns of caregiver strain and help-seeking were associated with caregiver conceptualization. All caregivers voiced a need for peer-to-peer support for caregivers and youth with EBP.

The Role of Compassion and Mindfulness in Building Parental Resilience When Caring for Children With Chronic Conditions: A Conceptual Model

“…For example, in a child with an emotional or behavioral health problem, parents may struggle with treatment decisions due to their past experiences or beliefs. A parent may be uncertain about getting treatment due to the belief that the child will overcome the issue without treatment, may believe that a child’s mental health condition is in response to a stressful event in the family, or may harbor guilt about the impact of the parent’s own behavior on the child’s mental health (Mayberry and Heflinger, 2013). In the case of a child with a condition that can have both a physical and intellectual impact like cerebral palsy, parents may need to provide assistance with feeding, help their child with other daily tasks impacted by motor delays, and navigate comorbid behavioral health challenges (Guyard et al, 2017).…”

Take CHARGE! A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Social Problem-Solving Curriculum to Support Students With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

“…How students perceive and interact with teachers and peers within academic and social environments is in part related to how students are able to problem solve in difficult social circumstances (Graziano, Reavis, Keane, & Calkins, 2007). For some adolescents, difficulties related to emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) may impede their ability to accurately perceive and interpret social and academic environments (Maggin, Wehby, Farmer, & Brooks, 2016; Mayberry & Heflinger, 2013). Farmer (2013) defined EBD as “a disability in the capacity to adapt” (p. 36), with many students with or at risk for EBD exhibiting social deficits and behavior problems.…”

Caregiver Perspectives During the Post Inpatient Hospital Transition: A Mixed Methods Approach

“…Though caregivers in our sample endorsed high levels of strain, low levels of empowerment, and perceived low levels of support in caring for their children, they most frequently endorsed problem-focused coping strategies, including planning and active coping. Previous qualitative findings indicated that caregivers of children with emotional and behavioral problems who endorsed active coping strategies were more likely to seek formal help (Mayberry and Heflinger 2013). Caregivers in our study being more engaged in active help seeking behaviors may have been linked to their decision to participate in the STP.…”

“…Parental use of reframing was predictive of positive gains in family well-being for parents of children with developmental disabilities (Minnes et al 2015). Findings from qualitative interviews with caregivers of youth with EBD showed that caregivers who felt high levels of control in seeking formal resources for their children and acknowledged their own strain were more likely to seek formal help, while caregivers who felt little control and reported lower strain were less likely to seek formal help (Mayberry and Heflinger 2013).…”