The understanding and experiences of children affected by parental mental health problems: a qualitative study

Cogan, Nicola; Riddell, Sheila; Mayes, Gillian

doi:10.1191/1478088705qp024oa

Cited by 20 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…It seemed to be difficult for the children to link the professional and medical terms to other vocabularies. This finding is in accordance with previous research (Armstrong et al 2000;Cogan et al 2005b;Secker et al 1999). In addition, the vocabulary seemed to be problematic because of its stigmatizing implications for the parent, and consequently, for the child (Corrigan 2007;Hinshaw & Cicchetti 2001).…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 95%

“…Thus, the three vocabularies can be understood as linguistic resources that are generalizable in Finnish culture (see Goodman 2008). However, the findings are much in line with other international research literature (e.g., Armstrong et al 2000;Cogan et al 2005b;Secker et al 1999;Spitzer & Cameron 1995). Therefore, the following questions and suggestions could be useful from the perspective of clinical work and prevention in other cultures.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 58%

“…The research by Cogan, Riddell, and Mayes (2005b), as well as studies by Aldridge and Becker (2003) and Aldridge and Sharpe (2007), are among the few exceptions. Otherwise, qualitative studies have typically used adult offspring, as children's experiences and viewpoints have mostly been inferred from adult perspectives.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…This research has suggested that information and an understanding of the parent's problems are important factors in the child's resilience. They are assumed to be significant in enhancing the wellbeing of the child by preventing false beliefs in the child, for example, feelings of guilt and responsibility for the parent's problems (Cogan et al 2005a;Focht-Birkerts & Beardslee 2000;Garley et al 1997;Kinsella et al 1996;Place et al 2002). Therefore, increasing the child's understanding has been defined as a key element in many preventive interventions (e.g., Beardslee & MacMillan 1993;Clarke et al 2001;Place et al 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

See 3 more Smart Citations

“My Dad Got Depression, or Something”: How Do Children Talk about Parental Mental Disorder?

Alasuutari

Järvi

2012

Qualitative Research in Psychology

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The research about children affected by parents with mental disorders has suggested that information and an understanding of the parent's problems are important factors in the child's resilience. Therefore, increasing the child's understanding has been defined as a key element in many preventive interventions. However, there is little research about children's conceptions of parental mental disorder. The article examines the discourses (vocabularies) that children use as their resources when talking about a parent's mental disorder during a qualitative research interview. It pays special attention to the interviewer-child interaction. The data come from interviews with ten Finnish children. The results show that the children employ three vocabularies in the interview: the professional, the empirical, and the vocabulary of concern. The results illustrate the importance of looking at the nuances of adult-child interaction. They also question the self-evident use of a medical discourse in giving information about the parental problems.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 95%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 58%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

See 2 more Smart Citations

“My Dad Got Depression, or Something”: How Do Children Talk about Parental Mental Disorder?

Alasuutari

Järvi

2012

Qualitative Research in Psychology

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“…Our findings corroborate those of previous studies that have demonstrated the experience of shame and associative stigma of children with parental mental problems (Cogan, Riddel, & Mayes, 2005;Östman, 2008;Fjone et al, 2009;Chan & Ying, 2010). They are also in accordance with the findings of Prior (2012), who analysed how young users of counseling services resist being positioned in a stigmatizing discourse of mental illness, and with those of Fjone et al (2009), who argue that children with parental mental disorders wish to present themselves as normal and equal in their peer group.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Can I Tell Just by Myself? Discussing a Parental Mental Disorder With a Child in a Research Interview

Leinonen

Seikkula

Alasuutari

2016

ijcyfs

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Abstract:In this single-case study, we focus on how to have a dialogue in a research interview with a child whose parent has been diagnosed with a mental disorder. The interactional context and the interviewer's role in co-constructing the child's accounts have been largely neglected in the qualitative psychological research on this subject. Stigma related to mental disorders is increasingly being recognized as a central issue for the entire mental health field. It is considered to have far-reaching effects on the social interaction of the stigmatized person and also to contaminate the interactions of those around that person. We examine how the stigma of a parental mental disorder arises and is negotiated in the dialogue between an 8-year-old girl and a female interviewer. The perspective of the study is micro-sociological and constructionist. Three categories of the child's talk were identified: actively describing her position and voice in the ongoing dialogue, normalization of the parental problem and herself, and talking about shame and embarrassment.

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How Do Children Make Sense of their Parent’s Mental Health Difficulties: A Meta-Synthesis

Simpson-Adkins

Daiches

2018

J Child Fam Stud

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Children of parents who experience mental health difficulties (COPE-MHD) consistently demonstrate numerous negative outcomes, including risks of intergenerational continuity of mental health difficulties (MHD). Numerous studies have analysed the experiences and understanding of parents’ MHD from the perspective of COPE-MHD. This metasynthesis aims to capture, across available literature, the way in which COPE-MHD make sense of their parent’s MHD and how this perception impacts their life. For inclusion in the review, research articles were required to be published in peer-reviewed journals, apply qualitative methods of data collection and analysis and report on the direct accounts of COPE-MHD regarding their understanding or experience of their parents’ MHD. Five electronic databases were used; Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Child Development and Adolescent Studies. Fourteen studies were included. Analysis produced three overarching themes. The findings illustrate children’s sophisticated biopsychosocial conceptualisation of the cause and process of their parent’s MHD. It also highlights how they utilise this understanding to manage the day-to-day concerns associated with their parent’s experience of MHD. Clinical implications highlight a need for services working with children, parents and families to more frequently enquire about parents’ MHD and to consider the outcomes of such enquiry in the psychological formulation of children and young peoples’ mental health and development. Limitations and recommendations for future research are presented.

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The understanding and experiences of children affected by parental mental health problems: a qualitative study

Cited by 20 publications

References 47 publications

“My Dad Got Depression, or Something”: How Do Children Talk about Parental Mental Disorder?

“My Dad Got Depression, or Something”: How Do Children Talk about Parental Mental Disorder?

Can I Tell Just by Myself? Discussing a Parental Mental Disorder With a Child in a Research Interview

How Do Children Make Sense of their Parent’s Mental Health Difficulties: A Meta-Synthesis

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