Prevalence and risk factors of parental mental health problems: A cross‐sectional study

• Published in: International journal of mental health nursing 2024-12, Vol.33 (6), p.2090-2101
• Main Authors: Grant, Anne, McCartan, Claire, Davidson, Gavin, Bunting, Lisa, Cameron, Julie, McBride, Orla, Mulholland, Ciaran, Murphy, Jamie, Nolan, Emma, Schubotz, Dirk, Shevlin, Mark
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Adverse childhood experiences; Adverse Childhood Experiences - statistics & numerical data; associated factors; Caregivers; Child; Child, Preschool; Childhood experiences; Commissioning; Conduct disorder; Cross-Sectional Studies; Early intervention; Family support; Female; Health problems; Health status; Humans; Male; Mental disorders; Mental Disorders - epidemiology; Mental Disorders - psychology; Mental health; Middle Aged; Morbidity; Northern Ireland - epidemiology; Observational studies; parental mental health; Parents & parenting; Parents - psychology; Polls & surveys; Prevalence; Prevention programs; Psychiatric morbidity; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult; Youth
• ISSN: 1445-8330; 1447-0349; 1447-0349
• DOI: 10.1111/inm.13365

An understanding of the prevalence and risk factors of parental mental health problems is important for early intervention and prevention measures and shaping services for parents and their children. However, large representative surveys of parental mental health problems and associated risk factors are lacking. The aim of this study was to estimate prevalence rates of parental mental health problems using a standardised measure of psychiatric morbidity (General Health Questionnaire; GHQ‐12), in a representative sample of parents and caregivers of children and young people (2–19 years) in Northern Ireland. Further, this study explored associated risk factors of parental mental health problems. A random household survey of parents and children was conducted between June 2019 and March 2020. Parental responses on demographic, economic, familial and psychological measures were collected (N = 2815) and 22% of parents and caregivers screened positive for mental health problems. The STROBE checklist for observational research was adhered to. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that being in receipt of benefits, having poor family support, a history of adverse childhood experiences, a history of exposure to politically motivated violence (the Troubles), and a child with conduct problems and poor health were all independent risk factors of increased parental mental health problems. Findings will help to inform future commissioning and development of services and broaden understanding of the correlates of parental mental health problems.