Effects of parental mental illness on children

Abstract

Parental mental illness can impact significantly on the lives of dependent children through both direct and indirect mechanisms. Parental factors that may impact directly on their offspring include the inherited genetic make-up of the child, the intrauterine environment and antenatal exposure to anxiety or depression, and the risk of direct exposure to the parental mental illness itself. Indirect effects, for example socio-economic disadvantage and marital conflict, which are often associated with mental illness, can also have profound detrimental effects. There has been much recent research into the impact of parental mental illness on children, particularly postnatal depression. Parental mental illness has been shown to affect attachment formation and the cognitive, emotional, social, and behavioural development of children. These children are also at increased risk of developing psychiatric disorder in childhood, adolescence, and later adult life. In view of the potential impact of parental mental illness, prevention and intervention at an early stage are of great importance. Women at risk should be identified in the antenatal period and a clear care plan established to prevent or minimize the impact of parental illness. The interventions should focus not only on the treatment of the parental psychiatric illness, but also on the other factors that directly and indirectly impact on the life and well-being of their offspring.