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Self‐expressed strengths and resources of children of parents with a mental illness: A systematic review
Author(s) -
Drost Louisa M.,
Krieke Lian,
Sytema Sjoerd,
Schippers Gerard M.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
international journal of mental health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.911
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1447-0349
pISSN - 1445-8330
DOI - 10.1111/inm.12176
Subject(s) - psycinfo , cinahl , mental illness , coping (psychology) , medline , psychology , mental health , social support , clinical psychology , inclusion (mineral) , medicine , psychiatry , psychological intervention , social psychology , law , political science
The aim of the present study was to explore the strengths children reported to have acquired while coping with their parents illness, and the external factors these children indicated had facilitated their coping process. A systematic literature search was conducted of peer‐reviewed papers that focused on self‐reported experiences of children with parents who had mental illness, and revealed their strengths and resources. The search included the following databases: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL. Results were filtered according to whether search terms appeared in the title or abstract. Fifty‐seven full‐text papers were reviewed; 26 of them met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The statements were analysed using content analysis. The search identified 160 relevant statements, 38 (24%) of which could be described as self‐reported strengths, and 122 (76%) as self‐reported resources. According to these statements, the children described themselves as more mature, independent, and empathic than their peers who did not have a parent with a mental illness, and as having acquired several abilities. The statements about resources indicated that the children regarded social support, information, and particularly the support of mental health‐care professionals as helpful when living with a parent with a mental illness. Recommendations for nursing actions to support children's ability to cope with their parents' illness are outlined.