Do attachment patterns of parents with a mental illness have an impact upon how they view the quality of life of their children?

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between the attachment patterns of 61 parents with a mental illness and their perception of their children's health-related (QoL). Parental attachment patterns were assessed using the Bielefeld Partnership Expectations Questionnaire (BFPE); health-related QoL of children was measured with the parent version of KINDL-R. Compared to the general population, parents showed different attachment patterns and rated their children's QoL significantly lower overall as well as in the dimensions “emotional well-being”, “friends” and “family”. QoL ratings were associated with specific parental attachment styles. Parents with secure patterns also differed from those with other patterns in their ratings of their children's QoL. These results suggest a role of parental attachment for the perception of child well‐being and functioning. They also underline the need for more research into the association between parent attachment and child well-being in families with mental health problems.