Intervention programs for children whose parents have a mental illness: a review

• Published in: Medical journal of Australia Vol. 199; no. 3 Suppl; p. S18
• Main Authors: Reupert, Andrea E, Cuff, Rose, Drost, Louisa, Foster, Kim, van Doesum, Karin T M, van Santvoort, Floor
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia 05.08.2013
• Subjects: Bibliotherapy; Child; Child of Impaired Parents - psychology; Family Health; Health Services Research; Humans; Mental Disorders - therapy
• ISSN: 1326-5377
• DOI: 10.5694/mja11.11145

To identify and describe intervention programs to improve outcomes for children whose parents have a mental illness. Grey and black literature was sourced from (i) three previous reviews/scoping studies, (ii) PsycINFO and MEDLINE searches of English, German and Dutch papers, and (iii) in consultation with researchers, clinicians, consumers and carers in the field. Only programs specifically targeting children whose parent/s have a mental illness. No restrictions were placed on study quality. Program description, target group and evidence base. Programs from Australia, Europe and North America were found and collated into (i) family interventions, (ii) peer-support programs, (iii) online interventions and (iv) bibliotherapy. Some programs had been evaluated, with promising results. Others had minimal or no evaluation. The core component across programs is the provision of psychosocial education to children about mental illness. More rigorous research is required to establish the conditions through which children's outcomes are enhanced.