DUNKLE Ruth E., INGERSOLL-DAYTON Berit, CHADIHA Letha A.
Journal article citation:
Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 58(6), 2015, pp.90-612.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
This article discusses, from the grandmother’s perspective, the ways in which support is exchanged in families coping with serious mental illness. A strengths perspective was utilised to identify ways in which family members help each other. Employing a qualitative approach, this study focuses on interviews obtained from a sample of 22 ageing mothers, aged 52–90, who are in contact with their daughters who have a mental illness. Grandmothers provided several kinds of support to their mentally ill adult daughters and to their grandchildren, who also supported the ageing mother in numerous ways. As social workers seek to assist individuals with mental illness, it is important to assess the existing strengths of their intergenerational family context.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This article discusses, from the grandmother’s perspective, the ways in which support is exchanged in families coping with serious mental illness. A strengths perspective was utilised to identify ways in which family members help each other. Employing a qualitative approach, this study focuses on interviews obtained from a sample of 22 ageing mothers, aged 52–90, who are in contact with their daughters who have a mental illness. Grandmothers provided several kinds of support to their mentally ill adult daughters and to their grandchildren, who also supported the ageing mother in numerous ways. As social workers seek to assist individuals with mental illness, it is important to assess the existing strengths of their intergenerational family context.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
older people, mothers, parent-child relations, mental health problems, family relations, grandparents, social work, service provision, intergenerational relationships;
Community Mental Health Journal, 48(1), February 2012, pp.29-37.
Publisher:
Springer
Many mothers with mental health issues are caught up in the child protection system and face the prospect of having their children removed from their care. This study examines the prevalence and outcomes for mothers with mental health issues and their children in child maltreatment cases opened for investigation in Canada. Secondary analysis of the Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (CIS-2003) core data was carried out which contained process and outcome data on a nationally representative sample of 11,652 child maltreatment investigations. Maternal mental health issues were noted in 2,272 (19.7%) cases opened for investigation. The most common child protection concerns were neglect, emotional maltreatment and exposure to domestic violence. A significant association was found between maternal mental health issues and child maltreatment investigation outcomes, with many potentially confounding variables held constant. It concludes that broad spectrum, multi-disciplinary services are needed to support mothers with mental health issues. As well as providing effective mental health care there is a need to addressing trauma, strengthen social relationships and alleviate poverty. Systemic advocacy is also needed to ensure that mothers with mental health issues can access broad spectrum supports.
Many mothers with mental health issues are caught up in the child protection system and face the prospect of having their children removed from their care. This study examines the prevalence and outcomes for mothers with mental health issues and their children in child maltreatment cases opened for investigation in Canada. Secondary analysis of the Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (CIS-2003) core data was carried out which contained process and outcome data on a nationally representative sample of 11,652 child maltreatment investigations. Maternal mental health issues were noted in 2,272 (19.7%) cases opened for investigation. The most common child protection concerns were neglect, emotional maltreatment and exposure to domestic violence. A significant association was found between maternal mental health issues and child maltreatment investigation outcomes, with many potentially confounding variables held constant. It concludes that broad spectrum, multi-disciplinary services are needed to support mothers with mental health issues. As well as providing effective mental health care there is a need to addressing trauma, strengthen social relationships and alleviate poverty. Systemic advocacy is also needed to ensure that mothers with mental health issues can access broad spectrum supports.
Subject terms:
mental health problems, mothers, needs, parenting, social work, child abuse, child neglect, child protection, domestic violence, emotional abuse;
Health and social care professionals are constantly exhorted to work collaboratively. This book reports on research which examines interprofessional work with families in which mothers have a mental health problem and where there are also concerns about child protection. Breakdowns in interprofessional collaboration, issues of risk and relevant resources are all addressed. Mothers' views and experiences are contrasted with professional perspectives. This book: reports on a survey of 500 practitioners working in health, social services and the voluntary sector; presents data from in-depth interviews with mothers with severe mental health problems; identifies weaknesses in interprofessional coordination in this area of work; and suggests a new model for work with families where mental health problems and child protection concerns co-exist.
Health and social care professionals are constantly exhorted to work collaboratively. This book reports on research which examines interprofessional work with families in which mothers have a mental health problem and where there are also concerns about child protection. Breakdowns in interprofessional collaboration, issues of risk and relevant resources are all addressed. Mothers' views and experiences are contrasted with professional perspectives. This book: reports on a survey of 500 practitioners working in health, social services and the voluntary sector; presents data from in-depth interviews with mothers with severe mental health problems; identifies weaknesses in interprofessional coordination in this area of work; and suggests a new model for work with families where mental health problems and child protection concerns co-exist.
Subject terms:
interprofessional relations, mental health problems, models, mothers, multidisciplinary services, social work, social work methods, child abuse, child protection;
Health and Social Care in the Community, 27(6), 2019, pp.1586-1596.
Publisher:
Wiley
Perinatal mental health difficulties are prevalent among women, and the vulnerability of young infants makes this a time when families experiencing multiple adversities may be particularly likely to attract state intervention. However, very little is known about how mothers experience social work intervention during the perinatal period. This study explored experiences of social work intervention among women with perinatal mental health difficulties. Qualitative semi‐structured interviews were carried out with 18 women with 6‐ to 9‐month‐old babies, who had been treated in England for a perinatal mental health difficulty and also had social services intervention. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings suggested that mothers had a predominantly negative view of children's social services, especially when social workers had significant child protection concerns. The fear of being judged an unfit mother and having their babies taken away overshadowed their encounters. Mothers felt that social workers would not accept they could be good mothers in spite of their difficulties and set them up to fail. Some felt that social workers focused exclusively on the risks to the baby and did not acknowledge the mother's own needs or understand perinatal mental health. In some cases, social work intervention was described as intensifying pressure on mothers’ mental health, leading to escalating difficulties and increased likelihood of care proceedings. At the same time, this study also included examples of mothers forming positive relationships with social workers, and of ‘turning points’ where initially negative interactions stabilised and child protection concerns lessened. Women's accounts highlighted the importance of feeling ‘known’ by social workers who understood and respected them. The findings also suggested there may be value in improving collaboration between social workers and mental health professionals to create more space for representation of women's needs as well as those of their babies.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Perinatal mental health difficulties are prevalent among women, and the vulnerability of young infants makes this a time when families experiencing multiple adversities may be particularly likely to attract state intervention. However, very little is known about how mothers experience social work intervention during the perinatal period. This study explored experiences of social work intervention among women with perinatal mental health difficulties. Qualitative semi‐structured interviews were carried out with 18 women with 6‐ to 9‐month‐old babies, who had been treated in England for a perinatal mental health difficulty and also had social services intervention. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings suggested that mothers had a predominantly negative view of children's social services, especially when social workers had significant child protection concerns. The fear of being judged an unfit mother and having their babies taken away overshadowed their encounters. Mothers felt that social workers would not accept they could be good mothers in spite of their difficulties and set them up to fail. Some felt that social workers focused exclusively on the risks to the baby and did not acknowledge the mother's own needs or understand perinatal mental health. In some cases, social work intervention was described as intensifying pressure on mothers’ mental health, leading to escalating difficulties and increased likelihood of care proceedings. At the same time, this study also included examples of mothers forming positive relationships with social workers, and of ‘turning points’ where initially negative interactions stabilised and child protection concerns lessened. Women's accounts highlighted the importance of feeling ‘known’ by social workers who understood and respected them. The findings also suggested there may be value in improving collaboration between social workers and mental health professionals to create more space for representation of women's needs as well as those of their babies.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
user views, intervention, mothers, child protection, qualitative research, social work, mental health problems, service users, social workers, collaboration, mental health professionals;
Social Work in Health Care, 53(3), 2014, pp.233-249.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
Members of a local NAMI organisation were surveyed in order to explore the perspectives of mothers of transitional age (18–25) children diagnosed with mental illness. Social workers in a diversity of mental health care settings can use this information to improve competence with this population. Results indicate a dynamic shift in the mothering role during this time period. Findings also suggest mothers and their transition-age children need emotional and practical support from social workers and other mental health professionals.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Members of a local NAMI organisation were surveyed in order to explore the perspectives of mothers of transitional age (18–25) children diagnosed with mental illness. Social workers in a diversity of mental health care settings can use this information to improve competence with this population. Results indicate a dynamic shift in the mothering role during this time period. Findings also suggest mothers and their transition-age children need emotional and practical support from social workers and other mental health professionals.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
mothers, attitudes, health care, mental health problems, young people, young adults, social work, service transitions, parental role, mental health care, needs;
British Journal of Social Work, 33(4), June 2003, pp.535-555.
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Courts and social services often seek the advice of mental health professionals in deciding whether a mentally ill mother should remain the primary carer of her infant. This paper describes the referral pathways, outcomes at discharge and subsequently, of a sample of mothers referred for parenting assessments to a psychiatric Mother and Baby Unit. A further aim was to examine factors predicting outcome. A casenote study of sixty-one consecutive referrals for in-patient parenting assessment over a six-year period is described. Social Services were contacted to establish developments at least nine months after discharge. Fewer than half of the mothers were discharged together with their babies at the end of the assessment period, and at follow-up, less than a third were still caring for their children. Diagnosis of the mother's illness was the main factor determining whether she continued to care for her child both at discharge and at follow-up; mothers with depression were more likely to remain primary carers. Variations in the timing and process of referrals related to a lack of antenatal planning were associated with increased rates of separation of mother and infant before the assessment. The findings illustrate the need for more integrated co-ordination between professionals in mental health and children's services to ensure early planning for mothers and infants at risk.
Courts and social services often seek the advice of mental health professionals in deciding whether a mentally ill mother should remain the primary carer of her infant. This paper describes the referral pathways, outcomes at discharge and subsequently, of a sample of mothers referred for parenting assessments to a psychiatric Mother and Baby Unit. A further aim was to examine factors predicting outcome. A casenote study of sixty-one consecutive referrals for in-patient parenting assessment over a six-year period is described. Social Services were contacted to establish developments at least nine months after discharge. Fewer than half of the mothers were discharged together with their babies at the end of the assessment period, and at follow-up, less than a third were still caring for their children. Diagnosis of the mother's illness was the main factor determining whether she continued to care for her child both at discharge and at follow-up; mothers with depression were more likely to remain primary carers. Variations in the timing and process of referrals related to a lack of antenatal planning were associated with increased rates of separation of mother and infant before the assessment. The findings illustrate the need for more integrated co-ordination between professionals in mental health and children's services to ensure early planning for mothers and infants at risk.
Subject terms:
legal proceedings, mental health problems, mothers, parent-child relations, planning, referral, social services, social work, assessment, babies, depression, diagnosis;
immigrants, homeless people, homelessness, housing, inner cities, learning disabilities, legal aid, local authorities, local government, local government finance, mental health problems, NHS, mothers, offenders, older people, physical disabilities, probation, poverty, pre-school children, punishment, social services, social work, social care provision, urban areas, welfare state, young people, after care, alcohol misuse, benefits, central government, children, community health care, drug misuse, education, employment, family planning, financing, Gypsies, health care;