Impact of parental mental illness on children's HoNOSCA results in a regional child and adolescent mental health service

Abstract

Use of routine outcome measures are frequently used to ascertain improvement in children's symptomology, this study examined whether living with a parent with a mental illness impacted outcome measures. The study examined 134 children attending a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). The majority lived with a parent reporting mental illness. Routine HoNOSCA and CGAS outcome measures were collected over a 6‐month period. Children of parents with a mental illness scored higher on most outcome measures. All children improved on most variables over the 6 months of CAMHS intervention with children of parents with mental illness showing greater improvement compared to other children on behaviour but less improvement on all other variables. They did not, however, improve as much on education‐related factors and showed lower improvement in overall functioning. Younger children with a parent with a mental illness improved least in the area of behaviour. This study highlighted the need for greater use and integration of measures where children live with a parent who has a mental illness. Findings suggest parental mental illness impacted on overall child outcomes, and this influence remained irrespective of clinical intervention. The common occurrence of parental mental illness, where children also have a mental illness, indicates focusing on a wider set of outcome measures for more effective intervention. Analysis of a larger cohort sample is warranted.

A study of the relationship between parents’ educational behavior and children’s psychological development based on linear regression models

“…Almroth, M et al analyzed the relationship between parental expectations and child harmony by investigating whether parental academic expectations are congruent with children's expectations and exploring, in the family, the predictors of children's mental health [10]. Naughton, M. F. A et al demonstrated that children's mental health is in part related to parental mental status as well as parenting styles by examining the mental health of a number of children and adolescents and collecting routine HONOSCA and cGAS outcome indicators [11]. Sanmarchi, F et al concluded that sedentary behavior is associated with poorer health outcomes and that parenting behaviors can influence children's lifestyle and mental health status to some extent [12].…”