The Triple P Positive Parenting Program for Parents With Psychosis: A Case Series With Qualitative Evaluation

Triple-P: Interaction of mother-adolescent with intellectual and developmental disability

This study aimed to investigate the effect of a Positive Parenting Program (Triple-P) on the interaction of the mother-adolescent with intellectual disability. The pre-test and post-test randomized experimental design was used for this research. Thirty-four mothers of adolescents with intellectual disability took part in the present research and were assigned to experimental and control groups, each comprised of 17 people. The experimental group took part in an 8-session Triple-P and each session lasted 75 minutes, but the control group did not participate in this intervention. The data were analyzed using MANCOVA. The findings revealed that Triple-P intervention significantly influenced dependency, closeness, conflict, and positive interaction between the mother and the child with intellectual disability. The present study emphasized that Triple-P will improve the interaction of mother-adolescent with intellectual disability; therefore, Triple-P is a useful intervention.

The Parenting Practices of Parents with Psychosis: A Systematic Integrative Review

Parental psychosis has been reliably associated with adverse outcomes for both parents and children. Despite this, support for these families remains limited. Understanding the everyday parenting practices of parents with psychosis, and whether they differ from parents without psychosis is crucial for developing suitable, evidence-based interventions. We therefore aimed to synthesise quantitative and qualitative research to answer two research questions: (1) 'What are the parenting practices of parents who experience psychosis?' and (2) 'Are the parenting practices of parents who experience psychosis the same as the parenting practices of parents without serious mental illness (SMI)?' Five databases were searched for terms associated with parenting, psychosis and parenting practices, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used for quality appraisal prior to an integrative narrative synthesis being conducted. Twelve studies (n = 9 quantitative; n = 3 qualitative) containing 1115 parents with psychosis were included. The synthesis revealed that parents with psychosis frequently use positive authoritative parenting strategies, but sometimes this can be difficult to sustain, with parents resorting to permissive and inconsistent parenting practices. They appear to do so more frequently than parents without SMI but because only four studies utilised a control group, more comparative research is needed. The review recommends further support, and use of parenting interventions for parents with psychosis, alongside systemic practice change initiatives within adult mental health services.

Exploring parenthood in first episode of psychosis: the potential role of the offspring in the outcome of women

PURPOSE

The study aimed to explore the role of parenthood at first episode of psychosis (FEP) on recovery, with a focus on potential sex differences.

METHODS

Sociodemographic, clinical, and neurocognitive information was considered on 610 FEP patients form the PAFIP cohort (Spain). Baseline and three-year follow-up comparisons were carried out. Chi-square tests and ANCOVA analysis were performed controlling for the effect of age and years of education.

RESULTS

Men comprised 57.54% of the sample, with only 5.41% having offspring when compared to 36.29% of women. Parenthood was related to shorter duration of untreated illness (DUI) in women with children (12.08 months mothers vs. 27.61 months no mothers), showing mothers better premorbid adjustment as well. Childless men presented the worst premorbid adjustment and the highest cannabis and tobacco consumption rates. Mothers presented better global cognitive function, particularly in attention, motor dexterity and executive function at three-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Diminished parental rates among FEP men could be suggested as a consequence of a younger age of illness onset. Sex roles in caregiving may explain the potential role of parenthood on premorbid phase, with a better and heathier profile, and a more favorable long-term outcome in women. These characteristics may be relevant when adjusting treatment specific needs in men and women with and without offspring.

Grappling with Issues of Motherhood for Women with Schizophrenia

Despite the fact that most persons with schizophrenia find steady employment difficult to sustain, many women with this diagnosis embrace and fulfill the most difficult task of all-motherhood. The aim of this paper is to specify the challenges of motherhood in this population and review the treatment strategies needed to keep mothers and children safe, protecting health and fostering growth. The review addresses concerns that had been brought to the author's earlier attention during her clinical involvement with an outpatient clinic for women with psychosis. It is, thus, a non-systematic, narrative review of topic areas subjectively assessed as essential to "good enough" mothering in the context of schizophrenia. Questions explored are the stigma against motherhood in this population, mothers' painful choices, issues of contraception, abortion, child custody, foster care and kin placement of children, the effects of antipsychotics, specific perinatal delusional syndromes, and, finally, the availability of parental support. This review is intended for clinicians. Recommendations are that care providers work collaboratively with mothers, take note of their strengths as well as their failings, offer a wide array of family services, monitor households closely for safety and for treatment adherence, appreciating the many challenges women with schizophrenia face daily.

Parents who experience psychosis: A qualitative exploration

OBJECTIVES

Psychosis can present parents with complex parenting challenges and significant adverse outcomes for parents and their children have been reported. However, remarkably little is known about how parenting is experienced by these parents. Therefore, this qualitative study aimed to understand the lived experiences of parents with psychosis, including how parenting support was experienced.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), eight biological parents (five mothers and three fathers) with psychosis were recruited and interviewed from early intervention in psychosis services in the Northwest of England.

RESULTS

Three superordinate themes and seven subordinate themes were identified. Theme 1 'Living with the Struggle: Painfully Disconnected' captured a persistent parenting struggle that distanced parents from their children and support due to all-consuming experiences of psychosis, fear and risk-focused service support. Theme 2 'Desired and Vulnerable Position: Comfortably Connected' captured parental experiences of symptom relief through connection with their children, alongside parental need to be integrated with the systems around them. Theme 3 'Exposed: Parenting Under a Spotlight' represented parental experiences of inescapable observation and judgement from the systems around them.

CONCLUSIONS

Novel insights into the role of misaligned parent and service priorities in parental perceptions of powerlessness, shame and disconnection from their children, valued parenting identities, and system supports are presented. Systemic interventions that target stigma, provide system-wide psychoeducation and promote person-centred, compassionate and meaningful connections between parents and the systems they live within are needed to promote better parenting outcomes.