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BJSW Advance Access originally published online on August 18, 2006
British Journal of Social Work 2007 37(8):1319-1334; doi:10.1093/bjsw/bcl083
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© The Author 2006. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The British Association of Social Workers. All rights reserved.

Schizophrenia: The Impact of Parental Illness on Children

Victoria Somers

Victoria Somers, B.Soc.Sc., Dip.App.Soc.Stud., Dip.Stats., M.Litt., is a principal mental health social worker with a special interest in families and the impact of severe mental illness. She is the social work member of the Irish Mental Health Commission, and is currently working on the implementation of the 2001 Mental Health Act.

Correspondence to Victoria Somers, Lakeview Unit, Naas General Hospital, Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland. E-mail: victoria.somers{at}mailm.hse.ie


  Abstract

This research sets out to discover what impact parental schizophrenia makes on a child’s life. It focuses on the daily life and experiences of children. Their health, education, family and leisure activities are examined. Contact with helping agencies and their unmet needs are investigated. The sample was drawn from the children of patients attending the mental health services in South West Dublin. They were matched with a control group of children of well parents. The majority of children who have one parent with schizophrenia had similar profiles to the children of well parents in the areas of physical health, positive family feelings, friendships, hobbies and household tasks. In a number of other areas, however, differences were found. Sample children had more psychiatric disturbance, more problems associated with school, less contact with relatives and spent more time at home. The children had little access to services and were upset by hospital visiting. The need for an educational programme and support for these children was demonstrated. It is recommended that a more co-ordinated approach is required by both adult and child mental health services in order to meet their needs.

Keywords: parental mental illness, effects on children, understanding mental illness


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