Psychosocial Functioning and Occupational Participation among Adolescent Children of Parents with Mental Illness: A Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

There is limited focus on children of parents with mental illness (COPMI). This study explored the psychosocial functioning and occupational participation of COPMI. We used a mixed methods study design where parents’ perceptions about the adolescent’s psychosocial functioning were measured quantitatively, followed by qualitative interviews with some of the adolescents. Results indicated close to average levels of psychosocial functioning among the adolescents while the qualitative findings suggested some issues related to their emotional well-being. Limitations of this study include fewer participants and psychosocial functioning of the adolescents being measured through parents’ perceptions.