How Do Children of Parents With Mental Illness Experience Stigma? A Systematic Mixed Studies Review

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Mental Health
• Social Psychology
• Child Development

Background:

• Stigma associated with mental health conditions extends beyond the individual, affecting family members, termed stigma-by-association.
• Children of parents with mental health problems are a vulnerable population susceptible to the adverse effects of stigma.
• Stigma-by-association can contribute to the intergenerational transmission of mental health disorders.

Approach:

• A systematic mixed studies review was conducted, synthesizing findings from 32 diverse studies (quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods).
• Methodological quality of included studies was rigorously assessed.
• Qualitative content analysis was employed to categorize children's experiences of stigma.

Key Points:

• Children's experiences of stigma-by-association were categorized into four dimensions: experienced, anticipated, internalized stigma, and structural discrimination.
• Stigma significantly impacts the lives of children with parents affected by mental health conditions.
• The findings underscore the need for further qualitative and quantitative research into these experiences.

Conclusions:

• Stigma-by-association is a critical factor influencing the well-being of children with parents experiencing mental health issues.
• There is a clear need for targeted anti-stigma interventions and public health campaigns to mitigate these negative impacts.
• Addressing stigma is crucial for breaking the cycle of transgenerational mental disorder transmission.