Integrated Family Approach in Mental Health Care by Professionals From Adult and Child Mental Health Services: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

ObjectiveA multiple case-study in which each case was evaluated by adult and child mental health professionals who used an integrated family approach in their treatments. In this approach, treatment focuses on the mental disorders of the parents as well as on the development of the young child and family relationships. This study evaluated the experiences of professionals from adult and child mental health services using this approach. The aim of the study is identifying key elements of this approach, processes involved in treatment, and barriers to its success, with the aim of contributing to the development of practice based integrated mental health care for the whole family.BackgroundParental mental disorders have an impact on parenting and child development. To stop detrimental cascade effects and prevent parent and child from being caught up in the intergenerational transmission of psychopathology, an integrated family approach in mental health care is needed. Methods: A qualitative case study design using a grounded theory approach. Data were collected through 19 group interviews of professionals (N = 37) from adult and infant mental health teams who worked together in the treatment of a family.ResultsProfessionals from the two services were comfortable coping with complexity and felt supported to perform their treatments by staying in touch with each other in multi-disciplinary consultations. They indicated that by attuning the treatment components to each other and tailoring them to the capabilities of the family, their treatments had more impact. A flexible attitude of all involved professionals and commitment to the interest of all family members was essential.ConclusionAccording to professionals, treatment with an integrated family approach in mental health care is of value for families by addressing the distinct roles, positions and relationships, by implementing a flexible complementary treatment plan, and by empowering professionals by multi-disciplinary consultations.

Acceptance and commitment therapy-based intervention for parents living with chronic pain: Feasibility and acceptability study.

“…Integrated service provision, where treatments for parents and their children are offered in one setting, would allow for concurrent support of children and their parents and has been argued for (Blanch et al, 1994) but has not yet been tested. Potential barriers include therapeutic challenges (e.g., identifying treatment targets) and the need for a high degree of collaboration between clinicians and within organizations (Stolper et al, 2022).…”

An integrated family approach in the practice of adult and child mental health care

“…Figure 2 presents the key elements of success of this integrated treatment according to professionals and patients who have respectively conducted and undertaken the treatment ( 26 , 27 ). There are six key elements mentioned: 1. focus on the whole family; 2. flexible and complementary treatment plan tailored for each individual family; 3. multi-disciplinary consultations; 4. components of the whole treatment reinforced each other; 5. the liaison between AMHS and CAMHS, and 6. attention to the social and economic environment.…”

“…There is not a specific treatment protocol. Tailoring the treatment to the specific issues within the family, requires a flexible approach and attitude in treatment, and commitment to the interest of all family members ( 26 ). Table 1 shows possible treatment components in our practice targeting the family functioning in different domains.…”

“…Professionals experience the multidisciplinary consultation as an important means of support in carrying out treatment, by being better able to cope with the complexity of problems in families ( 26 ). It provides them with clarity on the complexity of the problems.…”

“…We investigated the literature to gain insight into the appropriate intervention targets when parents of infants and young children suffer from mental disorders ( 25 ). Professionals and patients who participated in these treatments were interviewed to identify the key elements of success in this approach to treatment ( 26 , 27 ). The findings of this research have directly shaped the practice in the way it has currently developed.…”