Abstract
The transition to adulthood can be a vulnerable period for certain population groups. In particular, young adults aged 18–25 years who have a parent with mental illness and/or substance use problems face increased risks to their mental health compared to same aged peers. Yet these young adults may not have access to age-appropriate, targeted interventions, nor engage with traditional face-to-face health services. To support this vulnerable group, services need to engage with them in environments where they are likely to seek help, such as the Internet. This paper describes the risk mechanisms for this group of young adults, and the theoretical and empirical basis, aims, features and content of a tailored online group intervention; mi.spot (mental illness: supportive, preventative, online, targeted). The participatory approach employed to design the intervention is described. This involved working collaboratively with stakeholders (i.e., young adults, clinicians, researchers and website developers). Implementation considerations and future research priorities for an online approach targeting this group of young adults conclude the paper.
Highlights
A key risk factor to young peoples’ mental health and wellbeing is having a parent with a mental illness and/or substance use problem [1]
Parental mental illness or substance use problems have been associated with various adverse outcomes for young people, including the development of their own mental illness or substance use problem, academic failure, high incarceration rates, and stress-related somatic health conditions such as asthma [2,3,4,5]
Given that 21–23% of children grow up with at least one Online Intervention for Young Adults parent with a mental illness [7] and 11.9% of children live with at least one parent who was dependent on or abused alcohol or an illicit drug [8], it is imperative that efforts are made to reduce the risk of intergenerational mental illness and substance misuse
Summary
A key risk factor to young peoples’ mental health and wellbeing is having a parent with a mental illness and/or substance use problem [1]. Parental mental illness or substance use problems have been associated with various adverse outcomes for young people, including the development of their own mental illness or substance use problem, academic failure, high incarceration rates, and stress-related somatic health conditions such as asthma [2,3,4,5] These adverse impacts may be maintained into adulthood. The extant literature on the mechanisms by which risk is conferred on these young adults will be reviewed, followed by service gaps and young adults’ preferences for support This literature provides the foundation for a theoretical approach to the development of the online intervention, mi.spot. The issues associated with introducing a new intervention such as mi.spot into regular service delivery, and opportunities for future research conclude the paper
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