Effects of Parent Mental Health on Children
By Stephanie Blay Muah, BSc Neuroscience
The mental health of children is connected to their parents' mental health (Mental Health of children and Parents – a strong connection, 2021). Achieving cognitive and psychological goals, developing positive interpersonal skills, as well as understanding the ability to face challenges are all important foundations of growing up psychologically healthy. Children who are psychologically healthy have a higher chance of enjoying life and performing well in the classroom, home, and society. Parents, and other caregivers who take on the role of parents, are crucial for a child's healthy development since they are their first sources of encouragement for gaining independence and living happy, healthy lives.
Being a parent can be very gratifying and challenging for anyone, and it presents many unique challenges for individuals living with mental health challenges. Children may experience a variety of unforeseen effects from a parent’s mental illness. Not all children will be impacted in the same manner by their parent’s mental illness, despite the sociocultural, environmental, and biological risks it presents. The level at which a child will be affected by a parent’s mental health depends on factors like the severity of the parent’s mental illness, the child’s age, distress the illness has caused on the family, and most importantly, how the illness prevents the parents from positively engaging with their child such as expressing some level of interest in their child. Research from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that nationally, about 1 in 8 women experience symptoms of postpartum depression, but that ratio can be as high as 1 in 5 women depending on factors such as location, age, race, and ethnicity. As the postpartum period is critical for bonding and attachment between mother and child, it’s vital that mothers experiencing postpartum depression receive treatment. Fathers — especially younger ones, those with a history of depression, and the financially stressed — are also vulnerable to depression. A study cited by the CDC found that about 4% of fathers experience depression in a child’s first year, with another 1 in 5 suffering from depression by a child’s 12th birthday (Regis College Online, 2021).
Disruptions in the secure attachment bond between the child and the primary caregiver are one of the keyways that parents’ mental health can have an effect on a child's brain development. If the caregiver has inconsistent behaviour and lack of response, the child may develop an uneasy attachment to them. This may have long-term implications on the child's emotional and social growth as well as their capacity to create healthy relationships in the future.
Additionally, through interactions and communication with their child, parents can have a psychological impact on their child's development. For instance, a parent who exhibits signs of sadness or depression may find it difficult to relate to and support their child emotionally. Positive support is necessary for the child's emotional growth. Primary caregivers who are suffering from anxiety may also struggle to establish limits and provide their kids structure, which might impair a young child’s cognitive growth. We must remember that not all children are significantly impacted when they experience the negative effects of parents with mental health challenges. Some kids may be more resilient, though vulnerable, and able to handle the negative consequences of parental psychological influences better than others.
In conclusion, being a parent can be both difficult and rewarding. If you are experiencing mental health difficulties, it is important to prioritize your own selfcare. Your recovery plans and activities need to include time for yourself. If you have a crisis action plan or a psychiatric advance directive, designate someone to help with your parenting duties. If your child is old enough, discuss your plan with your child and identify resources and options together for handling things when you are not well (Parenting with a mental condition, 2023). Taking actions to being a better version of yourself as a parent or primary caregiver goes a long way and will positively impact your developing child’s brain and the future. If you are struggling with mental health issues or know of someone who could use support, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.html or Southern Alberta, https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/findhealth/Service.aspx?id=6810&serviceAtFacilityID=1047134
References
Mental health of children and parents —a strong connection. (2021, April 23). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/features/mental-health-children-and-parents.html
Regis College Online. (2021, October 28). What Impact Does Parental Mental Health Have on Children? https://online.regiscollege.edu/blog/parental-mental-health/
Parenting with a Mental Health Condition. (n.d.). Mental Health America. https://www.mhanational.org/parenting-mental-health-condition