Parents of Children with Mental Illness: Exploring the Caregiver Experience and Caregiver-Focused Interventions

Abstract

Serious mental illness in children can significantly impact the parents who care for these children in both positive and negative ways. Caregiver strain and enrichment manifests in all areas of parents' lives, including work, mental and physical health, and social and family relationships. Research has identified numerous predictors of caregiver strain such as severity of child's illness and impairment, race, and social support. These parents need strengths-based, parent-focused interventions to help them care for themselves and their family in a healthy, effective manner. A brief summary describes 4 types of interventions for parents of children with mental illness and the supporting research. Education, support, and skill building are all important components in parent interventions. A parent focus for interventions and research will decrease caregiver strain and create a healthier environment for the entire family.