Parents served by assertive community treatment: parenting needs, services, and attitudes

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Services Research
• Psychiatry
• Social Work

Background:

• Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is an evidence-based practice for severe mental illness.
• Half of individuals with severe mental illness are parents, yet their experiences with ACT are understudied.
• Parenting experiences and needs within ACT services require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the experiences of parents receiving Assertive Community Treatment (ACT).
• To understand parenting challenges and needs among ACT consumers.
• To gather suggestions for enhancing ACT services for parents.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative interviews were conducted with 17 parents receiving ACT services.
• Interviews explored parenting, parental needs, mental illness, and satisfaction with ACT.
• Participants provided feedback on improving parent-focused treatment.

Main Results:

• Parents reported both positive and negative parenting aspects, with 88% experiencing custody loss.
• Interest was expressed in family therapy, parenting skills, and peer support.
• Parents of young children reported more unmet needs and lower satisfaction with ACT than parents of adult children.

Conclusions:

• The current ACT model may inadequately serve parents of young children.
• There is a need to identify parental status among ACT consumers.
• Improved, parent-focused services and support within ACT are recommended.