Work

Support needed by parents when a child's mental well‐being is threatened—A qualitative study of views of experts‐by‐experience

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In situations where a child's mental well-being is threatened, the parents also need support. The available support has been perceived as insufficient by both parents and professionals. AIM: To explore the views of experts-by-experience of the support needed by parents when a child's mental well-being is threatened. METHODS: A qualitative study with a phenomenological approach was conducted in Finland. The data were collected in six focus group interviews during the autumn of 2022. The participants (n = 26) were adult experts-by-experience who had experienced either mental well-being challenges in their own childhood (before the age of 18 years) or experienced the mental well-being challenges of a child from the role of a parent. The data were analysed using inductive content analysis. RESULTS: The support needed by parents in situations where the mental well-being of their child is at risk consists of support for parenting, support for sharing and support for surviving. CONCLUSION: Parents whose child's mental well-being is at risk, need support both for their own well-being and for their ability to support their child's well-being. Support is needed not only from professionals but also from peers.

Source: Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences

DOI: 10.1111/scs.13310

Authors: Putkuri Tiina, Latva‐Korpela Irene, Häkkinen Mikko

Institutions: University of Turku, Laurea University of Applied Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Family Caregiving in Mental Illness

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,240