The Sacrificed Children: Listening to the Voices of Former Young Carers Supporting Parents with Mental Illness

Abstract

Numerous studies have indicated that parents who are affected by mental illness experience emotional/behavioural difficulties which can have major impacts on parenting and the child–parent relationship. However, research on the experiences of young carers living with a mentally ill parent and the adversity they face remains comparatively limited. This article reports findings from a qualitative and retrospective study undertaken with nineteen Taiwanese adults who were young carers of parents with mental illness to capture their entire childhood experiences. The study was guided by social constructionism with the aim to listen to the voices of former young carers and explore their sense of responsibility, their response to family and societal expectations and how these affected their lives. The study finds the young carers’ sense of responsibility was grounded on the principle of filial piety, which greatly influenced young carers not only actively in response to the parent’s needs but also in prioritising the parent’s demands. Participants felt responsibility and sacrifice interwoven in the context of their lives. Implications for social services and policy makers are suggested in order to meet the needs of young carers and their families.