Supporting Parents with Mental Health Conditions: A Qualitative Systematic Review of Parents’ Experiences with Professional Support

Many people with mental health conditions are parents, and research indicates that some would value and benefit from professional support for their parenting role. Yet little is known about their experiences of accessing these services, with this information dispersed amongst studies that primarily focus on other issues. This study aimed to bring together knowledge from current literature about the perspectives of parents living with mental health conditions about accessing professional support for parenting. A qualitative systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus, and CINAHL were searched and the output screened by at least two reviewers. Papers relating to parents with mental health conditions were extracted for analysis. Relevant data from included studies were analysed using thematic synthesis. A total of 49 papers were included in the thematic synthesis. Professional support for parenting was included in the aims of only 10 papers, and nearly two thirds of papers contained only one or two paragraphs relevant to the topic. Nevertheless, the data indicated a range of areas in which parents felt that they needed professional support, including: access to their children; childcare and respite; structure and routine; practical tasks; managing child behaviours; stress management in parenting; parent-child relationships; educating and supporting children around mental health; and developing positive understandings and confidence around parenting. They identified a range of avenues through which they did, or could, receive support to address these needs: parenting education programs; family interventions; opportunities to talk to professionals; opportunities for peer support; advocacy; practical help; family-friendly mental health services; and respectful, collaborative and non-judgmental services. Most parents, however, reported a lack of parenting support. Many were reluctant to seek or engage with support because of a fear of being judged and reported previously negative experiences with services. When they did seek services for parenting, they were often unable to access it. The review highlights the need for service and policy recognition of parents living with mental health conditions as a priority group for the provision of tailored and respectful parenting support services.