A Survey of Programs for Parents with Mental Illness and their Families: Identifying Common Elements to Build the Evidence Base

Hinden, Beth R. PhD
Biebel, Kathleen PhD
Nicholson, Joanne PhD
Henry, Alexis ScD
Katz-Leavy, Judith MEd

¹ Department of Psychiatry, Center for Mental Health Services Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
² research instructor at Center for Mental Health Services Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.
³ associate professor of psychiatry and family medicine at Center for Mental Health Services Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.
⁴ OTR/L research assistant professor at Center for Health Policy and Research, UMass Medical School- Shrewsbury Campus (Worcester Foundation Campus), 222 Maple Avenue, Higgins Building Shrewsbury, MA 01545.
⁵ mental health consultant at 3053 Porter Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20008, USA.

Published online: 10 February 2006

The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research 33(1):p 21-38, January 2006. | DOI: 10.1007/s11414-005-9007-x

Abstract

Little is known about the effectiveness of interventions for families living with parental mental illness. Existing interventions offer information about successfully implemented treatments, which may demonstrate effectiveness in research. In the current study, directors of programs for parents with mental illness and their families were interviewed. Qualitative analyses revealed noteworthy similarities with respect to target population; funding; community context; agency context; mission, theoretical orientation, and assumptions; locus of care and essential services; desired outcomes; and moderators. Program similarities were identified to provide parameters for research, and to contribute to the development of testable hypotheses. Family-centered, strengths-based approaches were identified across program directors as critical to intervention success.