Working with service users who are parents – looking beyond risk

Children of parents who have been hospitalised with psychiatric disorders are at risk of poor school readiness

“…Our findings support earlier recommendations to incorporate evaluations of child wellbeing into psychiatric assessments for patients who are parents (Nicholson et al 1993; Cook & Steigman, 2000; Reupert & Maybery, 2007; Maybery & Reupert, 2009; Jones, 2016), and suggest that consideration of the child's functioning at school is also important. School provides vulnerable children with opportunities for building resilience and self-esteem (Gilligan, 2000).…”

“…Children of parents with psychiatric disorders are at risk of poor development in a range of areas, including social, cognitive, emotional and behavioural (Rutter & Quinton, 1984; Larsson et al 2000; Whitaker et al 2006; Davé et al 2008; Fihrer et al 2009; Avan et al 2010; Baker & Iruka, 2013; Kingston & Tough, 2014). Consequently, it has long been recommended that clinicians consider the impact of the parent's psychiatric symptoms on the developing child in both treatment and discharge planning (Nicholson et al 1993; Cook & Steigman, 2000; Reupert & Maybery, 2007; Maybery & Reupert, 2009; Jones, 2016). Despite advances in the implementation of family-focused care for parental psychiatric disorders in many countries, family mental health remains a major public health issue (Falkov et al 2016).…”