Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Mentally ill parents in psychiatric outpatient care: results of the study ‘HELP-S for Children’
- Authors:
- BOENISCH-ALERT S., et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 15(5), 2013, pp.254-262.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Knowledge about mentally ill parents, particularly in psychiatric outpatient care is scarce. The study presented here aims to investigate the characteristics of mentally ill parents with minor children in psychiatric outpatient care. All outpatients with minor children, who came to a psychiatrist's practice in Saxony, Germany, at an appointed date filled out a questionnaire (including diagnosis, sociodemographic data, perceived needs and usage of health care system). Data were analysed using SPSS 18.0. The study sample (n = 128) was characterised by a high percentage of women (75%), and high rates of depression (53.1%), anxiety disorder (19.5%) and addiction (10.9%). The main difference between mothers and fathers was the significantly higher rate of custody in mothers. Of the sample, 21.2% of the children of the mentally ill parents (n = 41) had already received treatment because of psychological or behavioural problems. Mentally ill mothers are more likely to retain a caretaking role in their children's lives. Mentally ill fathers are more likely to have an inpatient stay after the birth of the first child. Treatment rates of 21.2% of children of mentally ill parents concerning psychological or behavioural difficulties are alarmingly high. Therefore, psychiatric outpatient care as the biggest part of psychiatric standard care in Germany should get more attention in research and care for mentally ill parents and their children. (Edited publisher abstract)
A qualitative evaluation of professionals’ experiences of conducting Beardslee’s family intervention in families with parental psychosis
- Authors:
- STRAND Jennifer, RUDOLFSSON Lisa
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 19(5), 2017, pp.289-300.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
After Sweden passed new health care legislation in 2010, Beardslee’s preventive family intervention (FI) was implemented to meet children’s rights to information and support. No studies have yet evaluated perceived effectiveness of FI in families with parental psychosis or its reception by families or professionals. This study focused on professionals’ experiences of offering FI to parents with psychosis, their partners, and their children. The authors conducted 11 semi-structured interviews with FI-educated professionals at open care psychosis service units. Both authors applied thematic analysis to the interview data. The main reported benefit of FI was more open communication in the family; discussing the parent’s illness was thought to be helpful for all family members. Psychoeducation was described as particularly useful because family members generally seemed to lack sufficient information about psychosis. The FI manual also made professionals more confident about asking about patients’ parenting capacity and their children’s wellbeing. Despite positive descriptions, participants had conducted few FI interventions because of heavy workloads, organisational problems, and patients’ resistance to talking about their children. These barriers need to be addressed because children of parents with psychosis are a vulnerable group in great need of information and support. (Edited publisher abstract)
Parents with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse conditions involved in child protection services: clinical profile and treatment needs
- Authors:
- STROMWALL Layne K., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Child Welfare Journal, 87(3), 2008, pp.95-113.
- Publisher:
- Child Welfare League of America
Estimates from national studies suggest that 50 to 80% of all confirmed neglect and maltreatment cases in the Unites States involve parental substance misuse. Addiction treatment is now standard protocol for parents to maintain or regain custody of their children and avoid termination of parental rights. However, less attention has been given to cases where there is a co-occurring mental health problem alongside substance misuse. This exploratory study, based in a South-western state, investigates that prevalence of co-occurring mental health conditions among 71 parents with substance misuse conditions involved in a child dependency court. Results showed that 59% of the parents had a co-occurring mental health problem, and parents with co-occurring conditions (PWCC) differed in several important ways from those with only substance abuse conditions. PWCC were significantly more likely to have had a previous family court history, report a lifetime history of substance misuse treatment, a lifetime experience of anxiety or tension, and a history of sexual abuse. PWCC were also more likely than their case managers to report a need for mental health treatment. The authors emphasise integrated treatments as necessity for correctly identifying and treating PWCC.
Identifying and reducing barriers to reunification for seriously mentally ill parents involved in child welfare cases
- Authors:
- RISLEY-CURTISS Christina, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Families in Society, 85(1), January 2004, pp.107-118.
- Publisher:
- The Alliance for Children and Families
Forming judgments about parenting capacity, a necessary part of permanency planning, is much more difficult when the parent has a serious mental illness. The time necessary for effective treatment for such parents is often longer than the court-ordered time limit for family reunification. This puts mentally ill parents at a distinct disadvantage in their efforts to preserve their families. Using Arizona as an example, this article discusses the barriers in both child welfare and mental health systems to accurate and effective assessment and treatment. It presents recommendations for research and suggestions for child welfare personnel to enhance the potential for mentally ill parents to reunify with their children.