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RESEARCH

This page contains links to relevant research. Links are arranged by date of report on the topic of parents with psychiatric disabilities. If you have information on relevant research that is not listed, please e-mail Lorraine McMullin with your information. Thank you.

Latest Research

Building on Practice-Based Evidence: Using Expert Perspectives to Define the Wraparound Process: Janet S. Walker, Ph.D. and Eric J. Bruns, Ph.D. in Psychiatric Services, 57:1579-1585, November 2006
In order to expand the research base on effective community-based mental health treatments, methods are needed to define and evaluate promising interventions that have not been systematically developed and tested. In this report, the authors describe the results of an effort to better define the wraparound process for children and adolescents with serious emotional and behavioral problems. http://psychservices.psychiatryonline.org /cgi/
content/abstract/57/11/1579

Treating Mother's Depression Can Have Benefits for Children: Children whose mothers have depression are less likely to develop either depression or anxiety disorders if their mothers receive effective treatment for depression, a study in the Journal of the American Medication Association indicates. Although the development of depression has a strong genetic component, the researchers note that it often takes an environmental influence to trigger the onset of the disorder. Such a trigger may often be mothers' attempts to cope with their own disorder. (Intelihealth/The Associated Press, 3/21/06)

Depression drugs given to pregnant mothers may affect newborn babies – Infants withdraw from SSRIs: A new study, published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, addresses concerns for women taking Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) while pregnant. The researchers examined 120 babies born in 2002 - 2004 in Israel. Half of them were exposed to SSRIs. Researchers found that 18 of the exposed infants (30%) had “neonatal abstinence syndrome”. While none of these infants required treatment, their symptoms included tremors, gastrointestinal problems, an abnormal increase in muscle tone, sleep disturbances and high-pitched cries. None of the infants that were not exposed to SSRIs had the syndrome. The authors recommend that doctors should prescribe the “minimum dose and number of drugs that would be effective” for the mother’s condition.
Read original article (Best Syndication, Feb. 6, 2006)

“The Consequences of Official Labels: An Examination of the Rights Lost by the Mentally Ill and Mentally Incompetent Ten Years Later.” By Craig Hemmens, J.D., Ph.D.; Milo Miller; Ph.D., Velmer S. Burton Jr., Ph.D.; Susan Milner, J.D. in Community Mental Health Journal, Vol. 38, No. 2, April 2002.
This study presents a survey of state statutes which restrict the civil rights of persons who also have mental illness or who have been declared mentally incompetent. Five civil rights (jury service, voting, holding public office, marriage, and parenting) are examined. The results of the 1999 study are compared with the results of a 1989 study, to reveal any trends in the restriction of the civil rights of those suffering from mental problems. This comparison reveals that states continue to restrict the rights of this group, and that there is a trend toward increased restriction of the familial rights of marriage and parenting.

“Invisible Children's Project: A Family – Centered Intervention for Parents with Mental illness” April 15, 2002.
The Federal Office of Policy, Planning, and Administration concluded a policy study on the nationally recognized Invisible Children's Project in Orange County, NY. This program, which provides home-based, family-centered case management services, is one of few programs available to meet the needs of parents and children in families with a parent who has a mental illness. The project came about as a result of the need to learn more about what is helpful for families and what is effective with respect to enhancing family, family member functioning, and quality of life. It was founded upon the assumption that mental illness does not preclude good parenting and that all parents want to be the best parents they can be. The final report provides an evaluation of the project as it affects families with a history of child welfare involvement. The evaluation concluded that parents with mental illness and their children who received family-centered case management services through the project showed improvement across multiple outcomes. Department of Social Services workers stated unequivocally that children were returned home, or maintained in the home, as a direct result of project involvement. While service costs increased for some families, benefits were significant. Parent and agency goals were achieved, and expensive, disruptive, and potentially damaging out-of-home placements, such as hospitalization and residential care or foster care, were avoided. For more information about the report, contact Judith Katz-Leavy, CMHS senior policy analyst, at 301-594-2707 or by e-mail at jkatz@samhsa.gov. http://www.mentalhealth.org/publications/allpubs/KEN02-0130/page4.asp

“Summit On Women and Depression” April, 2002.
The American Psychological Association (APA) convened this Summit as a follow up to its first Task Force on Women and Depression meeting that reviewed the knowledge base on this topic. The Summit held on October 5-7, 2000) brought together internationally renowned experts from a variety of disciplines to present current findings on women and depression, and to make recommendations on how these findings can be incorporated into practice. The Summit also sought to generate a targeted research agenda and add to a comprehensive understanding of this topic. This report does include a look into depression of mothers with children. Its findings suggest that a great deal more research is needed in this and many other areas. You can find the 58-page report at http://www.apa.org/pi/wpo/women&depression.pdf

“Steps Toward Evidence-based Practices for Parents With Mental Illness and Their Families” March 15, 2002.
The Federal Office of Policy, Planning, and Administration has concluded a policy study. The project came about as a result of the need to develop an empirically supported evidence base before conclusions could be drawn about practices for parents with mental illness and their families. The project goal was to take the next steps toward determining evidence-based practices for parents with mental illness and their families by identifying and systematically describing existing interventions. Data were reported from two studies. The combined data from the two studies were used to identify core program components, key ingredients, and relevant outcomes. The project concluded that the rigorous evaluation of programs for parents with mental illness will only be possible when the necessary resources and technical assistance are provided to support the standardization and manualization of current interventions. This will require identifying or developing methods and tools that reflect participant and program goals and theories of change, capture program process and fidelity, and objectively measure meaningful outcomes related to adult, child, parent, and family functioning. To find the entire report go to the following website: http://www.mentalhealth.org/publications/allpubs/KEN02-0133/ack.asp.

“Critical Issues for Parents with Mental Illness and their Families” July 30, 2001.
This resport was created through a Center for Mental Health Services Research Grant to the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. It integrates the available knowledge regarding parents with mental illness and their families. It provides an extensive overview of the scope of the issue. Sections of the report include: The Experiences of Parents with Mental Illness, Service Needs and Barriers, Child Outcomes, Policy Implications and What We Can Learn From Other Systems and Fields, Programs for Parents with Mental Illness and their Families, and Steps for Stakeholders: A Consumer-Researcher's Perspective and more. The full report can be found at http://www.mentalhealth.org/publications/allpubs/ken-01-0109/default.asp. The lead researcher was Joanne Nicholson, Ph.D.

“Children of Parents Affected by Mental Illness Scoping Project” March 2001, Published by the Australian Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Association.
This report can be found at: http://www.aicafmha.net.au/projects/intro.htm This study draws together theoretical information and reports on the current situation in Australia. The report offers a comprehensive listing of programs across Australia and makes a listing of issues and recommendations.

“Parenting Among Mothers With a Serious Mental Illness” July 2000 Volume 70 No. 3, American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. By Daphna Oyserman, Ph.D., Carol T. Mowbray, Ph.D., Paula Allen Meares, Ph.D., Kirsten B. Firminger, B.A.
In the past few decades, deinstitutionalization and community-based rehabilitation and support programs have increased the likelihood that women with serious mental disorders will be parents and will raise their children. This review describes what is known about the parenting of these women, focusing on diagnosis, child characteristics, and other contextual effects.

“Depression in Women: Issue Summary 4 ” 1998, Author(s): O'Campo, P., Ruderman, M., Health and Human Services Administration, Health Resources and Services Administration.
This booklet highlights policy and program areas that need to be addressed to ensure improvement in health care and services related to perinatal and women's health. Focuses on the risk factors for depression in women. This 5 page report can be ordered online at http://www.ask.hrsa.gov/detail.cfm?id=MCHK152 or by telephone 1-888-ASKHRSA (275-4772). HRSA offers publications, resources, and referrals on health care services for low-income, uninsured individuals and those with special health care needs.

Treatment of Depression During Pregnancy a listing of professional journal articles, research and links can be found at http://www.pregnancyanddepression.com.

For further information, contact Lorraine McMullin at MHANYS at (518) 434-0439 ext. 211, or e-mail pwpd@mhanys.org