Outcomes for children who care for a parent with a severe illness or substance abuse

Abstract

Ketil (2018) Outcomes for children who care for a parent with a severe illness or substance abuse. Child and Youth Services, 39 (4). pp. 228-249.

The Burden of Care: A National Survey on the Prevalence, Demographic Characteristics and Health Problems Among Young Adult Carers Attending Higher Education in Norway

“…In the present study, students who confirmed caregiving responsibility had more negative health outcomes compared to non-caregiving students. Whereas previous studies have found that young carers experience the caring responsibility as rewarding (Chikhradze et al, 2017), carers in different age groups also report adverse effects (Pakenham et al, 2006;Berglund et al, 2015;Pakenham and Cox, 2015;Greene et al, 2017;Kallander et al, 2018). In line with increased rate of health problems found among carers in general (Koyanagi et al, 2018), the negative outcomes among YACs in the present study were evident on several health markers, i.e., anxiety and depressive symptoms, sleep problems, and somatic symptoms.…”

“…Having care responsibility may contribute to the development of practical and emotional skills, and is considered to stimulate resilience, problem-solving, empathy, sensitivity and ability to cope with life-challenges (Becker and Becker, 2008). However, research with children, teenagers and older adults with care responsibilities, has shown that there may also be negative outcomes on the mental and physical health of carers (Nagl-Cupal et al, 2014;Berglund et al, 2015;Van Loon et al, 2017;Kallander et al, 2018). Besides a few studies on health outcomes for YACs, we have limited knowledge about the impact of care responsibilities in this life phase.…”

Does coercion matter? Supporting young next-of-kin in mental health care

“…26,27 Similar to international trends, there has been an increased focus on the needs of children with parents with mental health problems. [12][13][14][15][16][17][18] Consequently, in 2010, Norway added two legislative provisions that oblige health personnel to attend to minor relatives and to designate children-responsible staff (CRS). 28,29 The responsibilities of CRS are to promote and coordinate health personnel's follow-up with patients' minor children.…”

“…5,11 Studies have clearly shown that the children of parents with serious mental health problems face many developmental, emotional, behavioural and educational challenges and are at risk of developing mental health problems themselves. [12][13][14][15][16] Therefore, health personnel should ascertain what kind of support measures these children need and start the necessary followup. [17][18] In Norway, about 15-20% of all hospitalised patients are involuntarily admitted (about 5000 adults).…”

“…Presumably, a significant number of these patients have close family members who are minors. Yet although there are established research traditions relating to children and siblings of mentally ill persons [12][13][14][15][16][17][18] and to coercion in mental health care, 3,[20][21][22][23] few studies have focused on how children might be affected by a coercive commitment of a close relative to a hospital. Research has not explored the risks of harm and the needs of children in such families, nor how young next-of-kin should be supported when a close family member, parent or sibling undergoes forced treatment.…”