Risk Factors

Children whose parents have a mental illness are at risk for developing social, emotional and/or behavioral problems. An inconsistent and unpredictable family environment, often found in families in which a parent has mental illness, contributes to a child’s risk. Other factors that place all children at risk, but particularly increase the vulnerability of children whose parents have a mental illness, include: poverty; occupational or marital difficulties; poor parent-child communication; parent’s co-occurring substance abuse disorder; openly aggressive or hostile behavior by a parent; single-parent families. Families at greatest risk are those in which mental illness, a child with their own difficulties, and chronically stressful family environments are all present. Many of these factors, however, can be reduced through preventive interventions. For example, poor parent-child communication can be improved through skills training, and marital conflict can be reduced through couple’s therapy.

A person suffering from mental illness isn’t a bad parent, but mental illness can complicate how they interact with their children. For example, parents who suffer from Bipolar Disorder may be more likely to overreact, which may lead to inappropriate punishments.

Here are some ways to mitigate the effect of mental illness with regards to parenting:

1. Monkey See, Monkey Do: Stay calm and be a positive influence to your child; always remember children are watching and consequently reenact everything that we as adults do. If you must get upset or let out your feelings of frustration or pain, do it in a way that your child doesn’t necessarily see.
2. Learn to be patient. Remember patience is a virtue. If your child is being difficult, cool down, count to 10, and then attempt to attend the situation.

Protective Factors

Increasing a child’s protective factors helps develop his or her resiliency. Resilient children understand that they are not responsible for their parent’s difficulties, and are able to move forward in the face of life’s challenges. It is always important to consider the age and stage of development when supporting children. Protective factors for children include parent’s warm and supportive relationship with his or her children; help and support from immediate and extended family members; a sense of being loved by their parent; positive self-esteem; good coping skills; positive peer relationships; interest in and success at school; healthy engagement with adults outside the home; an ability to articulate their feelings; parents who are functioning well at home, at work, and in their social relationships; and parental employment