A Survey of Programs for Parents with Mental Illness and their Families: Identifying Common Elements to Build the Evidence Base

Abstract

Little is known about the effectiveness of interventions for families living with parental mental illness. Existing interventions offer information about successfully implemented treatments, which may demonstrate effectiveness in research. In the current study, directors of programs for parents with mental illness and their families were interviewed. Qualitative analyses revealed noteworthy similarities with respect to target population; funding; community context; agency context; mission, theoretical orientation, and assumptions; locus of care and essential services; desired outcomes; and moderators. Program similarities were identified to provide parameters for research, and to contribute to the development of testable hypotheses. Family-centered, strengths-based approaches were identified across program directors as critical to intervention success.

Organisational Systems and Services for Children of Parents with Mental Illness and Their Families: Processes of Change and Sustainability

“…These Australian studies and programs are consistent with United States research regarding strategies and factors contributing to the development of policy frameworks and programs (Biebel et al 2004;Hinden 2008;Hinden et al 2006). United States mental health authorities data and stakeholder interviews have indicated a range of strategies and factors including collaboration across agencies; clear vision articulation; collecting and using data about families living with parental mental illness including their stories; using innovative approaches; accessing funding for prevention initiatives and using localized bottom-up approaches and top down strategies (Biebel et al 2004).…”

A Qualitative Study of Programs for Parents with Serious Mental Illness and Their Children: Building Practice-Based Evidence

“…32 The current study builds on the findings of a previous national survey of program administrators by obtaining data from a greater variety of perspectives and sources, including parents and family members themselves, program and agency documents, and direct observation, to elaborate contextual factors and program characteristics and activities in greater detail. 40 Qualitative data are obtained in site visits of a purposive sample of seven programs serving parents with serious mental illness and their children. A program logic model framework, derived from findings in the previous survey study, is used as a starting point for the collection and analysis of qualitative data.…”

“…A program logic model framework, derived from findings in the previous survey study, is used as a starting point for the collection and analysis of qualitative data. 40 Logic models facilitate the identification of shared and distinguishing characteristics and activities across programs, and suggest directions for more rigorous future testing of perceived relationships among program characteristics, activities, and outcomes. 38,39 Methods The current site visit study is one in a series of consumer-informed studies focused on documenting the experiences and needs of parents with serious mental illness and their children, and dedicated to building the evidence base to improve outcomes for these families.…”

A National Survey of State Mental Health Authority Programs and Policies for Clients Who Are Parents: A Decade Later

“…In 1999, Hinden and colleagues identified 23 programs across the U.S. designed and developed specifically for parents with mental illness and their families (10). Programs shared a common underlying orientation to parents with mental illness and their children that promoted the use of "family-centered," "strengths-based," approaches to meet the complex needs of the families.…”