Children of mentally ill or addicted parents participating in preventive support groups

Social-emotional problems of children with mild intellectual disabilities having parents with mental health concerns: A quantitative comparison study

INTRODUCTION

Children of parents with mental health concerns are at-risk for social-emotional problems. In this study, we assessed whether children with a mild intellectual disability and parents with mental health concerns are particularly at-risk.

METHOD

Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) reports of children with a mild intellectual disability (N = 55) and their parents with mental health concerns (N = 45) were compared to two comparison groups. The first group included children with average intelligence (N = 13) and their parents with mental health concerns (N = 56), the second group included children with mild intellectual disability (N = 44) and their parents (N = 36).

RESULTS

Children with a mild intellectual disability and a parent with mental health concerns show higher total SDQ problem scores and more internalizing and externalizing problems as compared to children in the two other groups.

DISCUSSION

Children having mild intellectual disability and parents with mental health concerns are particularly at risk for developing social-emotional problems.

'You are Okay': Effects of a support and educational program for children with mild intellectual disability and their parents with mental health concerns

BACKGROUND

Children with mild intellectual disabilities and emotional and behavioural problems whose parents have mental health concerns are at an increased risk of developing problems themselves. This study analysed the effectiveness of the 'You are Okay'-program aimed to support these children and parents and to reduce the risk of problem development in children.

METHOD

A quasi-experimental design was used to compare the experimental group ('care as usual' and 'You are Okay') with the control group ('care as usual') on the main outcome of emotional and behavioural problems and proposed intermediate outcomes.

RESULTS

Children in the experimental group reported a significant medium to large decrease in emotional and behavioural problems compared to the control group. The effects on the intermediate outcomes were non-significant.

CONCLUSIONS

This specific study population comprising a vulnerable group of children seems to benefit from this specially adapted 'You are Okay'-program. More research is necessary to draw further conclusions.