Promoting children’s health when a parent has a mental health problem: a mixed methods study of the experiences and views of health visitors and their co-workers

Abstract

Background: Unrecognised and untreated parental mental illness is a major adverse childhood experience with potentially lifelong consequences for health and wellbeing. In the United Kingdom (UK) health visitors provide a universal health promotion service to children aged 0-5 years, which includes safeguarding. This preventive work is highly relevant to policy aims of improving outcomes for children living with adverse childhood experiences, but is currently under researched. The aim of this study was to explore how health visitors promote young children's wellbeing when a parent has a mental health problem, and to co-produce strategies to improve child health outcomes. Methods: A mixed methods study was conducted, consisting of a cross-sectional survey and consensus workshops in Wales, UK. In phase 1 health visitors (n = 174) responded to an online questionnaire designed to explore the nature and scope of their preventive work with families experiencing mental ill health. For phase 2 providers of health and other support services (n = 38) took part in Nominal Group Technique workshops to co-produce strategies for better joint working to protect the wellbeing of children living with parental ill health. Results: We identified that health visitors routinely provide support to families where parents have a range of mental health problems, including severe mental illness. Most practice is focused on mothers with depression, and fewer respondents were confident about working with fathers. Unmet training needs were identified in relation to adult mental illness, particularly the impact upon children. Solutions to working more effectively with professional and voluntary agencies included raising awareness of professional roles and responsibilities, timely two-way communication, taking a strengths-based approach and maintaining a focus on the child.

Parenting and family life experiences of mothers diagnosed with schizophrenia within Chinese cultural context

“…This study has implications for family-based nursing practices. Specifically, it suggests that they should (1) provide psychoeducation regarding psychiatric symptoms, communication skills and crisis intervention for MDWSs and families; (2) improve communication between families, which may be influenced by mental illnesses and expectations from each other, thereby avoiding discrimination and its impact on MDWSs and their families; (3) assist families in clarifying their role and level of engagement in helping MDWSs with different illness statuses; (4) assist MDWSs and families in developing help-seeking, crisis intervention, stress coping and problem-solving abilities; and (5) cooperate with multidisciplinary teams to offer holistic family care(Condon et al, 2020).7 | CON CLUS IONSThis study primarily explored the long-term transitional experiences of MDWSs, their motherly roles and their relationships with their families. Chinese expectations of mothers, wives, daughters-in-law and beliefs in filial piety influence MDWSs substantially.…”