Article type
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Parenting is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding, life roles. For parents experiencing mental illness, raising children can be a protective factor that drives recovery, but also a risk factor for stressors that can lead to relapse and re-presentations to mental health services.
OBJECTIVES: This multi-method research aims to understand the role of parenting support within tertiary mental health settings, with the overall aim of informing policy and practice.
METHODS: The research is situated within one of Australia's largest health services and is comprised of four components. First, a clinical audit. Second, a survey and semi-structured interviews with parents who are recovering from serious mental illness. Third, focus groups with clinicians who work with parents recovering from mental illness. Fourth, a systematic overview of reviews of parenting interventions within the context of serious mental illness.
RESULTS: This presentation will first provide an estimate of the number and characteristics of people engaged with mental health services who are also parents. Second, it will quantitatively summarise parents' experiences of parenting while recovering, including their Quality of Life. Third, it will present the results of a qualitative thematic analysis of interviews with parents and clinicians in terms of barriers and facilitators of integrating the parenting role into tertiary mental health treatment. Fourth, it will synthesise the types and effectiveness of parenting interventions for parents recovering from serious mental illness.
CONCLUSIONS: This research highlights the importance of multi-method approaches to clinical questions within health settings. This includes clinical data, existing evaluation evidence, and the voices and experiences of parents recovering from serious mental illness and treating clinicians. Collectively, these components will guide the implementation of parenting supports within tertiary mental health settings.
OBJECTIVES: This multi-method research aims to understand the role of parenting support within tertiary mental health settings, with the overall aim of informing policy and practice.
METHODS: The research is situated within one of Australia's largest health services and is comprised of four components. First, a clinical audit. Second, a survey and semi-structured interviews with parents who are recovering from serious mental illness. Third, focus groups with clinicians who work with parents recovering from mental illness. Fourth, a systematic overview of reviews of parenting interventions within the context of serious mental illness.
RESULTS: This presentation will first provide an estimate of the number and characteristics of people engaged with mental health services who are also parents. Second, it will quantitatively summarise parents' experiences of parenting while recovering, including their Quality of Life. Third, it will present the results of a qualitative thematic analysis of interviews with parents and clinicians in terms of barriers and facilitators of integrating the parenting role into tertiary mental health treatment. Fourth, it will synthesise the types and effectiveness of parenting interventions for parents recovering from serious mental illness.
CONCLUSIONS: This research highlights the importance of multi-method approaches to clinical questions within health settings. This includes clinical data, existing evaluation evidence, and the voices and experiences of parents recovering from serious mental illness and treating clinicians. Collectively, these components will guide the implementation of parenting supports within tertiary mental health settings.