Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Parentification, stress, and problem behavior of adolescents who have a parent with mental health problems
- Authors:
- HOSMAN Clemens M.H, WITTERMAN Cilia L.M.
- Journal article citation:
- Family Process, 56(1), 2017, pp.141-153.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
When adolescents live with a parent with mental illness, they often partly take over the parental role. Little is known about the consequences of this so-called parentification on the adolescents' internalizing and externalizing problems. This survey study examined this effect cross-sectionally and longitudinally in a sample of 118 adolescents living with a parent suffering from mental health problems. In addition, the study examined a possible indirect effect via perceived stress. Path analyses were used to examine the direct associations between parentification and problem behavior as well as the indirect relations via perceived stress. The results showed that parentification was associated with both internalizing and externalizing problems cross-sectionally, but it predicted only internalizing problems 1 year later. An indirect effect of parentification on adolescent internalizing and externalizing problems via perceived stress was found, albeit only cross-sectionally. These findings imply that parentification can be stressful for adolescents who live with a parent with mental health problems, and that a greater awareness of parentification is needed to prevent adolescents from developing internalizing problems. (Publisher abstract)
Associations between behaviours that challenge in adults with intellectual disability, parental perceptions and parental mental health
- Authors:
- WAITE Jane, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 56(4), 2017, pp.408-430.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Objectives: This study examined parental perceptions of behaviours that challenge (CB) in their adult children with intellectual disability (ID), and explored whether perceptions mediated associations between CB and parental psychological distress. Design: A within-group correlational design was employed. Methods: Sixty-five parents reported on individuals with genetic syndromes and ID who had chronic CB. Parents completed the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised (IPQ-R) adapted to measure perceptions of self-injury, aggression or property destruction, alongside assessments of parental locus of control, attributions about behaviour, parental psychological distress, and CB. Results: A high proportion of parents evidenced anxiety and depression at clinically significant levels (56.9% and 30.8%, respectively). Contrary to predictions, psychological distress was not significantly associated with CB. The perception that the adult with ID exerted control over the parent's life mediated the association between CB and parental psychological distress. Few parents endorsed operant reinforcement as a cause of CB (< 10%). Conclusions: The high levels of psychological distress in parents is notable and of concern. Further research should consider the reasons why parents have causal attributions that might be inconsistent with contemporary interventions. Practitioner points: 1) Parents experience high levels of psychological distress while supporting adults with ID who engage in chronic behaviours that challenge; 2) A stronger belief that the adult with ID exerts control over the parent's life may mediate an association between CB exhibited by the individual with ID and parental psychological distress; 3) Few parents endorsed operant reinforcement as a cause of behaviours that challenge. (Publisher abstract)
Not only a crime but a tragedy [...] exploring the murder of adults with disabilities by their parents
- Author:
- BROWN Hilary
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 14(1), 2012, pp.6-21.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
The author considers what can be learned from the occasional cases in which the parents of disabled adults kill their sons and daughters. She seeks to reconcile society's need to apply strong sanctions to the parents while also recognising the stresses in their lives. Six cases are reviewed in detail. These involved seven disabled adults killed by a parent in the UK between 1999 and 2009. Every case involved the mother. Their actions did not appear to be motivated by malice, but occurred against a backdrop of significant mental illness and distress. Two of the parents killed themselves as well as their adult child and another attempted suicide. The explanations offered in court included a combination of caregiver stress and mercy killing. The author suggests that the judicial system is struggling to find a consistent approach. Study limitations are noted. Only high profile cases reported in the press are included, these represent a subset of all cases in the study period. Only information in the public domain is included; the portrayal of the issues in the media is integral to the study. The author concludes with recommendations as to how the backdrop of significant mental ill-health could be taken into account in the way families are offered support with a view to preventing further tragedies.
Clients’ and professionals’ experiences of traversing mental health and child protection systems: implications for practice
- Authors:
- DARLINGTON Yvonne, FEENEY Judith A.
- Journal article citation:
- Families in Society, 90(4), October 2009, pp.382-389.
- Publisher:
- The Alliance for Children and Families
Support services for families where a parent has a mental illness need to address the well-being of both parent and children, and must operate across the boundaries of two traditionally separate service systems: child protection/family support and mental health. This article draws on survey data on child protection and mental health professionals’ attitudes toward parents with mental illness, as well as interview data from 4 parent–worker dyads in cases involving parental mental illness and child protection concerns. Two broad categories of practice issues emerged: mental illness-related issues that impact negatively on parenting capacity and issues related to gaps in services and service delivery. In many cases, parenting stresses may be exacerbated by a lack of adequate and appropriate services. Service responses are required that recognise and can accommodate the specific needs of parents with a mental illness, and consistent long-term support is essential if people with mental illness are to parent effectively. Of necessity, such support should be ongoing and able to anticipate changes in parents’ coping capacity, in order to avoid repeated, highly intrusive, legally driven interventions at times of crisis.
Parents with mental health problems and their children
- Author:
- SOCIAL CARE INSTITUTE FOR EXCELLENCE
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 20.3.08, 2008, pp.26-27.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
This article looks at research-based knowledge about stress and resilience factors for parents with mental health problems and their children.
Children caring for parents with mental illness: perspectives of young carers, parents and professionals
- Authors:
- ALDRIDGE Jo, BECKER Saul
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 204p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Bristol
Drawing on primary research data collected from 40 families, this book presents the perspectives of children (young carers), their parents and the key professionals in contact with them. The book reviews existing medical, social, child protection and young carers literatures on parental mental illness and consequences for children. It also provides a chronology and guide to relevant law and policy affecting young carers and parents with severe mental illness and makes concrete recommendations and suggestions for improving policy and professional practice.
Parenting well when you're depressed: a complete resource for maintaining a healthy family
- Authors:
- NICHOLSON Joanne, et al
- Publisher:
- New Harbinger
- Publication year:
- 2001
- Pagination:
- 234p.,list of orgs.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Oakland
According to the 1999 U.S. Surgeon Generals' Report on Mental Health almost one quarter of women and fifteen percent of men suffer from some kind of mood disorder, such as depression or bipolar disorder. The majority of these men and women are also parents and there is a significant body of research that says children can be affected by their parents' depression. The most noticeable effect of parental depression is a lack of response by parents to their children, coupled with general feelings of sadness and irritability. A group of practitioners and researchers at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, representing several disciplines including psychology, occupational therapy, psychiatric rehabilitation, and counselling have produced a self-help resource guide aimed at these parents. The resource guide opens with a self-assessment questionnaire that enables the reader to identify their strengths and which areas need working on. The reader can then either read the book from cover to cover or go straight to which chapters are most relevant to their needs. Areas covered by the resource guide include: mood management; balancing work and parenting; managing household finances; family safety; communicating with children about depression; play and recreation; self-advocacy; the legal system, and; contact with children when they with live with others.
Role of family stressors on rural low-income children's behaviors
- Authors:
- GREDER Kimberly A., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Child and Youth Care Forum, 46(5), 2017, pp.703-720.
- Publisher:
- Springer
Background: Exposure to multiple stressors and lack of access to resources place rural children at high risk for adverse consequences. Family Stress Model guided this study to examine relations between two stressors- food insecurity and maternal depressive symptoms, and behaviour problems among younger and older rural children. Objective: To test associations between food insecurity, maternal depressive symptoms, and behaviour problems among younger and older rural low-income children. Methods: Cross-sectional data from 370 low-income rural families across 13 states was analysed using structural equation modelling and multiple group analyses. Mothers’ education level, household income, marital/partner status, and participation in SNAP served as covariates. Results: Among younger children, maternal depressive symptoms partially mediated the relation between food insecurity and child externalising behaviours, while among older children, maternal depressive symptoms completely mediated the relation between food insecurity and child internalising and externalising behaviours. Conclusions: Stress manifested directly from, or indirectly through, maternal depressive symptoms and from food insecurity was related to behaviour problems among younger and older rural children; however, the relations varied by age of children. Programmes and policies that prevent or lessen both food insecurity and maternal depression may help to lessen problem behaviours among on rural children. Longitudinal studies are needed to rigorously examine causation and directionality among food insecurity, maternal depression and rural child behaviour problems, while accounting for influences of child, caregiver and family characteristics. (Edited publisher abstract)
Parental mental health problems: messages from research, policy and practice
- Author:
- TUNNARD Jo
- Publisher:
- Research in Practice
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 117p.
- Place of publication:
- Dartington
This review presents and distills the findings of UK and international research about the impact of parental mental health issues on children and other family members. It supports the case for bridging the gap between providers of services to adults and services to children. It draws out messages particularly relevant to those who deliver services to children and families.
Behind closed doors
- Author:
- ARMSTRONG Clare
- Journal article citation:
- Young Minds Magazine, 61, November 2002, pp.28-30.
- Publisher:
- YoungMinds
This article is concerned with the experiences of children living with a parent who is suffering mental ill health. All the evidence is that adults in receipt of mental health services are only rarely identified as parents. Parenting is high on the agenda for other vulnerable groups in the form of parenting classes and additional support, yet is not seen as an issue for mental health services.