The response of children to the psychiatric hospitalisation of a family member

Abstract The children of parents with mental illness face numerous challenges. While there is abundant evidence of an increased risk for mental health problems, there has been less written about the immediate impact of experiencing a parent’s psychiatric crisis (e.g., hospitalisation). The current investigation aims to extend the current research literature by identifying clinical characteristics (i.e., symptoms of anxiety and/or depression), questions, and concerns reported by minor children when a significant caregiver in their life was hospitalised as the result of a serious mental illness. Standardised psychological tests of anxiety and depression were administered to 49 children, aged 7-17 years, at a time when a family member was admitted to a government-operated, psychiatric hospital. The children were also asked a set of structured questions in order to assess their concerns and questions at the time of a visit with their parent/relative at the hospital. Composite scores for the anxiety and depression scales fell within the normative range for the entire sample. However, roughly 40% of children produced at least one score that fell in the clinical range on anxiety subscales. Children reported that they were mainly happy to see their parent/relative in the hospital and eager to interact with them. The results are discussed in terms of ways to effectively meet the needs of a child whose parent or family member is hospitalised.