Research shows a clear connection between mental suffering in adults, their parental role, and the development of their children. A study of two therapists' understanding of the problems reveals two patterns: one in which the children are a part of the understanding and one where they are not. In the first pattern, which is seen in not the majority of cases, the therapists are concerned with the patient's parental role. Children are not thematized, and there is little cooperation with institutions which have children as the target group. In the other pattern, children and the parental role are thematized. These therapists are usually women who feel a close empathy with having children. They find it painful to see children in a difficult situation. The article indicates the need to develop knowledge including a gender-specific understanding and the development of methods which thematize the parental role and children.
Research shows a clear connection between mental suffering in adults, their parental role, and the development of their children. A study of two therapists' understanding of the problems reveals two patterns: one in which the children are a part of the understanding and one where they are not. In the first pattern, which is seen in not the majority of cases, the therapists are concerned with the patient's parental role. Children are not thematized, and there is little cooperation with institutions which have children as the target group. In the other pattern, children and the parental role are thematized. These therapists are usually women who feel a close empathy with having children. They find it painful to see children in a difficult situation. The article indicates the need to develop knowledge including a gender-specific understanding and the development of methods which thematize the parental role and children.
Subject terms:
mental health problems, parental role, parents, psychiatry, social work methods, therapies, therapy and treatment, child development, children, gender, parental mental health;