Mental health and family functioning in parents with cognitive impairment: A systematic review

For parents with cognitive impairment, poorer mental health commonly co-occurs. How parental mental health is considered in interventions aimed at improving parenting practices within service provision has yet to be systematically reviewed.

To explore the effects of parental mental health on family functioning outcomes for parents with cognitive impairment, including contextual and mediating factors, as well as its role within parenting intervention programs.

A systematic review of five databases was conducted in: APA PsycINFO, CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE, SocINDEX with Full Text, and Scopus. Studies that met the inclusion criteria were analysed using a narrative synthesis approach. Methodology quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklists for Systematic Reviews.

Nine studies were included in the final review. In parents with cognitive impairment, higher levels of parental mental health conditions positively correlated with challenges in family functioning, including child behavioural outcomes, child cognitive and mental health outcomes, and parenting practices. Lower levels of social support also played a key role in increased parent stress and poorer parental mental health. Parental mental health was found to mediate the effects of social support and neighbourhood disadvantage on parenting practices and child outcomes.

Social support should be considered alongside parental mental health impacts on family functioning outcomes for parents with cognitive impairment. Longitudinal and evaluation research is needed to understand the impact parental mental health conditions can have on the family system so that tailored services can be offered in service provision.