Parental mental illness: the effects on children and their needs

Singleton, Laura

doi:10.12968/bjon.2007.16.14.24321

Cited by 20 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Anxiety and depression are reported by grandparent caregivers, especially in HIV affected households (Cluver & Operario, 2008). Mental illness among caregivers increases the risk of behavioral and emotional problems among their children (Singleton, 2007). In support of the instability and turbulence theoretical perspective, grandparent-headed households tend to be poorer, which may result in young women being withdrawn from school in order to work (Urassa et al, 1997).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Family structure effects on early sexual debut among adolescent girls in Rakai, Uganda

Pilgrim

Ahmed

Gray

et al. 2013

Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies

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This study assessed the association between household family structure and early sexual debut among adolescent girls, ages 15-19, in rural Rakai District, Uganda. Early sexual debut is associated with detrimental physical, emotional and social outcomes, including increased risk of HIV. However, research on the family's role on adolescents' sexual risk behaviors in sub-Sahara Africa has been minimal and rarely takes into account the varying family structures within which African adolescents develop. Using six rounds of survey data (2001-2008) from the Rakai Community Cohort Study, unmarried adolescent girls (n=1940) aged 15-17 at their baseline survey, were followed until age 19. Parametric survival models showed that compared to adolescent girls living with both biological parents, girls who headed their own household and girls living with step-fathers, grandparents, siblings, or other relatives had significantly higher hazards of early sexual debut before age 16. Adolescent girls were significantly more likely to debut sexually if neither parent resided in the household, either due to death or other reasons. In addition, absence of the living biological father from the home was associated with higher risk of sexual debut, regardless of the biological mother's presence in the home. Our study's findings suggest that family structure is important to adolescent girls' sexual behavior. There is need for research to understand the underlying processes, interactions and dynamics of both low and high risk family structures in order to devise and strategically target interventions targeted for specific types of family structures.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Family structure effects on early sexual debut among adolescent girls in Rakai, Uganda

Pilgrim

Ahmed

Gray

et al. 2013

Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies

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“…There is a significant body of research that shows that children can be negatively affected by PMHP, that their development and wellbeing can be negatively influenced and that they are at increased risk of developing mental health difficulties themselves (Felitti, et al, 1998;Manning & Gregoire, 2006;Singleton, 2007). It is therefore crucially important to understand the mechanisms by which PMHP increase the risk of poor outcomes for children.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Talking or Keeping Silent About Parental Mental Health Problems—A Grounded Theory of Parents' Decision Making and Experiences with Their Children

Nolte

Wren

2016

J Marital Family Therapy

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This grounded theory study explored parents' experiences of responding to their children's need for understanding parental mental health concerns. Fifteen parents with severe and enduring mental health difficulties participated in the study. The findings suggest four main social processes that influence parents' talk with their children about parental mental health issues, namely “Protecting and being protected,” “Responding to children's search for understanding,” “Prioritizing family life,” and “Relating to others.” Implications of the findings for clinical practice and future research are considered. In particular, the need for more family‐orientated services where parents experience parental mental health problems is highlighted.

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“…Incorporating information about avoiding discrimination into professional training courses may be warranted. Although there is an increasing emphasis on the needs of children with mental health problems [38,39] and a number of innovative approaches to supporting them have been developed [40,41], it is clear from our findings that there is a need for more and better support for these children. Public anti-stigma campaigns can specifically address societal attitudes to parents with mental illness, which may ameliorate some of the discrimination experienced in the social as well as professional spheres.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Discrimination in relation to parenthood reported by community psychiatric service users in the UK: a framework analysis

et al. 2013

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BackgroundExperienced discrimination refers to an individual’s perception that they have been treated unfairly due to an attribute and is an important recent focus within stigma research. A significant proportion of mental health service users report experiencing mental illness-based discrimination in relation to parenthood. Existing studies in this area have not gone beyond prevalence, therefore little is known about the nature of experienced discrimination in relation to parenthood, and how is it constituted. This study aims to generate a typology of community psychiatric service users’ reports of mental illness-based discrimination in relation to becoming or being a parent. A secondary aim is to assess the prevalence of these types of experienced discrimination.MethodsIn a telephone survey 2026 community psychiatric service users in ten UK Mental Health service provider organisations (Trusts) were asked about discrimination experienced in the previous 12 months using the Discrimination and Stigma Scale (DISC). The sample were asked if, due to their mental health problem, they had been treated unfairly in starting a family, or in their role as a parent, and gave examples of this. Prevalence is reported and the examples of experienced discrimination in relation to parenthood were analysed using the framework method of qualitative analysis.ResultsThree hundred and four participants (73% female) reported experienced discrimination, with prevalences of 22.5% and 28.3% for starting a family and for the parenting role respectively. Participants gave 89 examples of discrimination about starting a family and 228 about parenting, and these occurred in social and professional contexts. Ten themes were identified. These related to being seen as an unfit parent; people not being understanding; being stopped from having children; not being allowed to see their children; not getting the support needed; children being affected; children avoiding their parents; children’s difficulties being blamed on the parent’s mental health problem; not being listened to; and being undermined as a parent.ConclusionsThis research highlights the need for: greater support for parents with mental illness, those wishing to have children, and those who lose access or custody; services to better meet the needs of children with a mentally ill parent; training about discrimination for professionals; and parenting issues to be included in anti-stigma programmes.

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Parental mental illness: the effects on children and their needs

Cited by 20 publications

References 14 publications

Family structure effects on early sexual debut among adolescent girls in Rakai, Uganda

Family structure effects on early sexual debut among adolescent girls in Rakai, Uganda

Talking or Keeping Silent About Parental Mental Health Problems—A Grounded Theory of Parents' Decision Making and Experiences with Their Children

Discrimination in relation to parenthood reported by community psychiatric service users in the UK: a framework analysis

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