Sociodemographic characteristics associated with parenthood amongst patients with a psychotic diagnosis: a cross-sectional study using patient clinical records

Abstract

Purpose Estimates of parenthood in individuals with psychosis range from 27 to 63%. This number has likely increased due to the introduction of newer anti-psychotics and shorter hospital stays. The problems of psychosis can affect patients’ capacity to offer the consistent, responsive care required for healthy child development. The following research questions were assessed: (1) what proportion of these patients have their children correctly recorded in their clinical notes, (2) what proportion of patients in secondary care with a psychotic diagnosis have children, and (3) what sociodemographic characteristics are associated with parenthood in this population. Methods This study used CRIS (Clinical Record Interactive Search) to search for patients with a diagnosis of non-affective or affective psychosis (F20–29, F31.2 or F31.5) within a UK NHS Trust. A binomial regression model was fitted to identify the variables associated with parenthood. Results Fewer than half of the parents in the sample had their children recorded in the correct field in their clinical notes. Of 5173 patients with psychosis, 2006 (38.8%) were parents. Characteristics associated with parenthood included being female, older age, higher socioeconomic status, renting or owning, having ever been married, being unemployed, not being White (British) and not having a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Conclusion Over one-third of patients with psychosis were parents, and the study indicates that not all NHS Trusts are recording dependants accurately. Many variables were strongly associated with parenthood and these findings may help target interventions for this population.

Parenting and psychosis: An experience sampling methodology study investigating the inter‐relationship between stress from parenting and positive psychotic symptoms

“…While ESM variables are still not as well‐validated as other more traditional psychometric measures, efforts are underway to improve the validity and reliability of ESM measures ( https://osf.io/kg376/ ). Another potential limitation is that many of participants in the sample were married and employed, which is more likely with parents with psychosis (Radley et al, 2022 ), but not representative of the majority of individuals with psychosis (Perälä et al, 2008 ). This may limit the generalizability of these findings.…”

“…Between 36% and 44% of people diagnosed with a psychotic disorder are parents (Campbell et al, 2012 ; Radley et al, 2022 ). Parenting is a valued role for people with psychosis (Chernomas et al, 2000 ), but research suggests that the symptoms associated with psychosis may make it more difficult for parents to cope with the daily demands of having children.…”

Grappling with Issues of Motherhood for Women with Schizophrenia

“…Although the precise rate varies from study to study, approximately 50% of women with schizophrenia become mothers, a similar rate to that of women in the general population [6]. Many women with a schizophrenia diagnosis, however, remain unpartnered or live in sequential, unstable relationships, making motherhood doubly difficult [7]. A meta-analysis of 1404 participants in the United Kingdom with a schizophrenia diagnosis (mean age = 39.9), found that only 15.6% were married [8].…”

Parents who experience psychosis: A qualitative exploration

“…Approximately 440,000 adults in the UK experience psychosis (McManus et al, 2016) and over a third are parents (Radley, Barlow, & Johns, 2022a). Parents who experience psychosis face a multitude of challenges (Campbell et al, 2018), including difficulties in managing responsibilities (Strand et al, 2020), balancing their own and their children's needs (Khalifeh et al, 2009) and relationships (Ackerson, 2003; Gregg et al, 2021).…”