Parenting with mental illness among patients presenting to a teaching hospital in Sri Lanka: Challenges and perceived care needs

Abstract

Introduction

Parenting with mental illness is associated with parenting difficulties and increased mental health problems in children. Family focused interventions improve child outcomes by 40%. However, such services are not available at present in Sri Lanka.

Objectives

To assess the challenges faced and perceived needs of parents with mental illness in Sri Lanka.

Methods

A cross sectional descriptive study was carried out in the adult psychiatry follow-up clinics in a Teaching Hospital in Sri Lanka. A specifically designed questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic details, difficulties with parenting and perceived care needs.

Results

Of 385 parents, 67.3% believed their mental illness impacted their parenting. Perceived impact on parenting was higher in younger parents (p<0.01), when the children were younger (p<0.01), had more children under 5 years (p<0.01) and when there was no social support (p<0.01). 67.8% of parents believed their illness impacted their children, with higher impact perceived in parents with children less than 5 years of age (p<0.05) and those with no social support (p<0.01). Although 36.4% had concerns about their children’s emotions or behaviour, only 16.4% were willing to discuss these with their doctor. The parental concerns were significantly higher where the parent was employed (p<0.01), had a longer duration of illness (p<0.01) and when the youngest child was more than 12 years (p<0.01)

Conclusions

Mental illness in parents had a substantial impact on parenting and their children but professionals help was rarely sought. Services aimed at the specific needs of these parents should be developed.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.