[Parenthood and psychiatric hospitalization]

As a topic, parenthood by persons with severe mental disturbances has predominantly been investigated with regard to the effects of the disorder on the children. The present article, in contrast, focuses on the concerns of psychically ill parents. On the one hand, the study aimed to record the portion of treated stationary patients with children under age; on the other hand, the need of these parents for assistance with regard to their parenthood was to be explored. In the course of a five-month period, number and age of children of all patients entering the in-patient clinic (n = 614) were recorded. 101 persons, or 16.5%, were registered as being a parent of at least one minor child. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 44 parents, addressing the problems caused by the illness, contact with the children during hospitalisation, resources, familiarity and experience with assistance provided, as well as the need for further support. More than 2/3 of the patients expressed a need for help with informing their children of the illness and requested support in the form of parent groups at the clinic. Almost half of the patients were prepared to contact an expert at the clinic on questions relating to parent-child issues. Our findings reveal a great demand for support and that provision of assistance is imperative.