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Caring for children of parents with mental health problems - a venture into historical and cultural processes in Europe
- Authors:
- SOLANTAUS Tytti, PURAS Dainius
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 12(4), November 2010, pp.27-36.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This article discusses the European initiative Work Package 5 (WP5), a part of the CAMHEE programme, which was designed to bring children and families with parental mental illness onto the European agenda. Parental mental health problems are a major risk for children’s adverse development. Intergenerational mental health issues often leads to social marginalisation and exclusion, which constitutes a serious social problem. WP5 participants included Austria, Bulgaria, Finland, Lithuania, Norway and Romania. The WP5 emphasised that it is important for every country to learn what the legal, human rights, and service and life situation is for these children and families and to take preventive and promotion action. The paper suggests that, to avoid further stigmatisation, awareness campaigns and training of professionals should capitalise on resilience and support for children and parenting rather than on risks. Psychiatric services for adults should respond to the needs for care and support of the patients' children. Finally, changes in society are needed, including redirecting legislation from restrictive measures towards promotion and prevention.
Outcomes for children who care for a parent with a severe illness or substance abuse
- Authors:
- KALLANDER Ellen Katrine, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Child and Youth Services, 39(4), 2018, pp.228-249.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This study investigates whether the children have different outcomes when the parent has a severe physical illness, mental illness, or substance abuse and whether any factors are associated with the positive and negative outcomes of the children’s caregiving. This was a cross-sectional, multicenter study. The study recruited parents who were out- or inpatients in five public hospitals in Norway as well as their children. The sample included 246 children ages 8–18 and 238 of their parents with a severe physical illness, mental illness, or substance abuse. Ten percent reported negative outcomes at a clinical level of concern, and nearly half of the children reported stress. However, the outcomes were not significantly different across parental illness groups. Positive and negative outcomes were associated with the nature of caring activities (e.g., personal care, financial and practical management, household management), social skills, and perceived external locus of control. Health professionals must provide a more comprehensive and overall assessment of both the parents’ and the children’s needs. To recognise the role taken by the child, an assessment of children’s caring activities and their need for adequate information should be performed. In particular, should the children’s need for follow-up regarding caring activities, respite, and emotional support be assessed to secure their necessary skills and feeling of mastery. (Edited publisher abstract)
What became of the children?
- Author:
- SOLHEIM Inge Johanne
- Journal article citation:
- Nordisk Sosialt Arbeid, 16(4), 1996, pp.243-252.
- Publisher:
- Universitetsforlaget AS
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.