Research Article, Int J Ment Health Psychiatry Vol: 9 Issue: 3

Parents' Mental Illness and Its Impacts on Children: A Descriptive Study of the Perspectives of Youths (Case Study: Serekunda West, the Gambia)

Yahya Muhammed Bah^*

Department of Sociology, School of Arts and Sciences, University of the Gambia, Banjul, Gambia, West Africa

*Corresponding Author: Yahya Muhammed Bah, Department of Sociology, School of Arts and Sciences University of the Gambia, Banjul, Gambia, West Africa, Tel: 2205078195; E-mail: yahyamuhammed@yahoo.co.uk

Received date: 15 March, 2023, Manuscript No. IJMHP-23-91705;
Editor assigned date: 17 March, 2023, PreQC No. IJMHP-23-91705 (PQ);
Reviewed date: 31 March, 2023, QC No. IJMHP-23-91705;
Revised date: 15 May, 2023, Manuscript No. IJMHP-23-91705 (R);
Published date: 22 May, 2023, DOI: 10.4172/2471-4372.1000221

Citation: Bah YM (2023) Parents’ Mental Illness and Its Impacts on Children: A Descriptive Study of the Perspectives of Youths (Case Study: Serekunda West, the Gambia). Int J Ment Health Psychiatry 9:2.

Abstract

Keywords: Children; Mental illness; Parents; Perspectives; Youths; Negative impacts

Introduction

Globally mental impairment will affect 1 in 4 at some time in our lives [1]. It is estimated that over 80 percent of people with mental and psychosocial disabilities live in the developing countries and have little or no access to any form of psychological or psychiatric treatment. In Africa the prevalence rate is up to 9.8 per population of 100,000 [2].

In the Gambia, approximately 27,000 people are suffering from a severe mental and/or substance abuse disorder and that a further 91,000 Gambians have a mild disorder still requiring treatment [3]. A local prevalence study in 2007 puts the rate higher at 20% and leads to estimates of approximately 180,000 people suffering from a mental or substance abuse disorder. In general 1 of 5 people over the age of 15 has an issue with their mental health which can be described as a severe mental disorder depression or anxiety disorder [4].

World over about 30% to 60% of people with severe mental illness have children [5]. Children of parents with mental health problems account for between a third and a half of all children receiving services from young careers’ projects in Australia [6].

Children often take significant practical and emotional responsibility for their parents as well as other family members such as younger once [7]. Nevertheless research has shown that there is strong evidence of a link between parental mental disorder and child maltreatment [8]. Children whose parents have mental health problems are at heightened risk of adverse consequences other than maltreatment including: Developing mental health problems in infancy social and behavioral problems in childhood and adolescence and consequences of stress associated with caring for a mentally ill parent [9].

Purpose of the study

The objectives of the study were to investigate into the youths’ level of knowledge of parents’ mental illness level of understanding of parents’ mental illness level of knowledge of causes of parents’ mental illness level of knowledge of negative impacts of parents’ mental illness level of knowledge of support services needed by mentally ill parents and their children and level of knowledge of preventive methods to apply in preventing parents’ mental illness.

Research questions

The study was guided by the following questions:

• What are the main causes of parents’ mental illness in the communities?
• What are the negative impacts of parents’ mental illness?
• What are the professional services needed to support mentally ill parents and victims of parents’ mental illness?
• How can parents becoming mentally ill be prevented in the communities?

Materials and Methods

Area of study

The study was conducted in Serekunda West Mini football stadium. This stadium is not only one of the biggest stadia in Serekunda but is located in one of the most densely populated communities with all tribes and religious groups in the country including non-Gambians. Therefore it was suitable to capture the youths’ perspectives on parents’ mental illness and its associated impacts as at the peak of raining season football sessions (newetaan) it is always jam-pack with youth spectators.

Sample and sampling technique

The design used for the study was a simply descriptive survey. The sample population consisted of 120 youths. A sample size of 60 (sixty) boys and 60 (sixty) girls were recruited using purposive random sampling technique.

Data collection method

The data was collected by conducting individual interviews using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was divided into five sections namely level of knowledge of parents mental illness level of understanding of parents mental illness level of knowledge of causes of parents mental illness level of knowledge of negative impacts of parents mental illness level of knowledge of support services needed by mentally ill parents and their children and level of knowledge of preventive methods of parents’ mental illness in communities.

Data analysis method

The data analysis process entailed two stages: The initial analysis was coding and tables creation preparation of variables by combining a number of codes converting codes into variables or developing completely new ones. This was used to provide a summary of patterns that emerged from the responses of the participants.

Objectives of the study

The objectives of the study are to investigate into parents’ mental illness in the community and youths’ comprehension of its causes negative impacts and support services needed by victims and their children and its preventive methods.

Significance of the study

The importance of the study stemmed from the followings:

• It will contribute to the body of existing knowledge in academia and other fields.
• It will act as an input for policy makers thus providing new insights to improve their ability to design effective policies and programmes to cater for the welfare of survivors and potential victims of parents’ mental illness.
• It will provide a base for the protection and promotion of the rights of parents with mental illness.
• It will be useful to persons with disabilities and children rights advocates.
• It will increase people knowledge of the risks to which survivors and their children are exposed.

Definition of concepts

Mental illness: Any health condition causing changes in emotions thinking and behavior of a person to the point that she/he cannot effectively discharge his or her responsibilities like any other reasonable person of his or her age and standing.

Parent: Any person who is legally responsible for the general wellbeing of a child.

Child: Any person under the age of 18 years of age.

Youth: Any person above the age of 18 years and below 35 years of age.

Newetaan football session: Football competitions held during the raining season in The Gambia.

Results and Discussion

Level of knowledge of mental illness

The findings indicate a high degree awareness of mental illness in view of the fact that all the respondents have heard about the illness and vast majority knows what it means and how many types exist.

Meaning of mental illness

In reacting to what mental illness means different responses were given by the respondents as is shown in Table 1 below: Craziness 79 (21%), madness 67 (18%), behavioral problems 54 (15%), mental sickness 48 (13%), confusion 43 (12%), mental disorder 36 (10%), aggressiveness 23 (06%), social malfunctioning 13 (04%) and others 7 (02%).

Table 1: Meaning of mental illness.

This concurs with mental illness is a health condition that involves huge changes in thinking emotion and/or behavior distress and/or difficulties in functioning during social community work or family undertakings [10]. Mental illness is a condition that affects a person’s thinking feeling mood or behavior and affects his/her effective and efficient functioning. It can be long term or short term condition and include depression anxiety bipolar disorder or schizophrenia [11]. Mental illness refers to a condition that negatively impact cognition emotion and behavior [12]. In The Gambia mental illness refers to a person who is completely out of order and cannot be cured by anymore [13]. The characteristics of mental illness include sadness and social withdrawal [14].

Types of mental illness in the community

In responding to how many types of mental illness they know in the community informants opined diversely as captured in Table 2 below: Four 55 (26%), six 43 (21%), three 36 (18%), two 27 (13%), five 21 (11%), one 15 (07%) and others 9 (04%).

Table 2: Types of mental illness.

This is supported by there are different types of mental illness which include anxiety disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, mood disorder, eating disorder, personality disorder, PTSD and psychotic disorder including schizophrenia, US national library of medicine. The American psychiatric association has identified over 200 types of mental illnesses characterized by dysregulation of mood, thoughts, and/or behaviors that differ in severity and longevity.

Commenting on the regions mostly affected with mental illness, discussants felt as illustrated in Table 3 underneath with Kanifing Municipality (KM) 103 (29%), Banjul Municipality (BM) 78 (23%), Upper River Region (URR) 53 (15%), West Coast Region (WCR) 49 (14%), North Bank Region (NBR) 27 (08%), Central River Region (CRR) 18 (05%), Lower River Region (LRR) 15 (05%) and I don’t know 3 (01%).

Table 3: Regions most affected with mental illness.

However, the local government administrative region most affected can neither be affirmed nor refuted due to scarcity of data.

Level of knowledge of the causes of mental illness

It is a common knowledge that every social problem has a cause and I felt it is important to ask my respondents the causes of mental illness. In responding to the question, informants reacted distinctively as shown in Table 4. Abuse of drugs 91 (16%), stress 78 (13%), beating 73 (13%), spiritual (marabourism) 67 (11%), deportation 56 (10%), lack of employment 51 (09%), accidents 49 (08%), natural illness 41 (07%), disappointment 23 (04%), domestic violence 16 (03%), others 13 (02%), giving birth 11 (02%) and single parenting 05 (01).

Table 4: Causes of mental illness.

This is in agreement with mental illness can be caused by many risk factors such as genes, abuse, chemical imbalances, brain injury, virus, toxic chemical, alcohol or recreational drugs, isolation and serious medical conditions. The causes of mental illness among adolescents include psychosis, anxiety, conduct or eating disorders and toxic substance abuse [15]. In The Gambia, it is believed that mental illness can be caused by two key factors: Stress, conflict or moral weaknesses and most importantly, possession or punishment from demon, supernatural forces or witchcraft resulting in the strong belief that traditional healers and marabouts can cause mental illness [4]. Traditional healers in The Gambia believed that mental illness is caused by bewitchment by human beings or jinns by applying a charm [16].

Mental illness can be caused by early adverse life experience, chronic medical condition, biological condition like genes or chemical imbalances in the brain, use of alcohol or drugs, loneliness or isolation [11]. Causes of mental disability include major depression, injuries, iron deficiency, falls, alcohol abuse, chronic diseases, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and obsessive disorder [17].

Level of knowledge of the negative impacts of parents’ mental illness on children

To adequately capture the perspectives of the discussants, this part of the study is divided into general and specific negative effects as presented underneath.

General negative effects of parents’ mental illness on the children

In responding to general negative effects of parents’ mental illness on children, the respondent felt presented in Table 5 below: Living in fear 117 (28%), poor up bring 93 (22%), lack of basic needs 78 (19%), being isolated by friends 59 (14%), living in poor condition 34 (08%), behaving abnormally 27 (07%) and others 17 (04%).

Table 5: General negative effects on the children.

This findings concurs with children of mentally ill parents have less parental interaction, less supervision and often live in a less conducive and supportive family environment. To maintain the good name of the family, children of mentally ill parents suffer from constant worries, taking care of the younger ones and trying to hide bad things happening in the family even if there is a need to seek professional help [18]. Children with mentally ill parents assumed adults responsibilities such as taking care of themselves and their siblings at tender age and become victim of low level of attachment [19]. Parent being mentally ill can put stress on a marriage negatively impacting on parenting abilities resulting in lot of damages in the lives and living conditions of children. Parents’ mental illness can result in children mental illness, death, physical violence and other severe family difficulties [20].

Negative health effects on the health of children of mentally ill parents

Responding to the negative health effects parents’ mental illness have on children, participants observed uniquely as shown in Table 6 underneath: Not eating balanced diet 131 (25%), living in poor hygiene state 109 (21%), lack of proper medical care 81 (15%), child inheriting mental illness 97 (19%), experiencing emotional torture 57 (11%) and others 45 (09%).

Table 6: Negative health effects on the health of children of mentally ill parents.

This is supported by children living with mentally ill parents are more likely to suffer from crisis like hospitalization, acute mental illness episode and lack of meaningful social and emotional bonds. Children of parents who are mentally challenged manifest depression, slow cognitive and language development. Children of mentally ill parents are three times more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and substance abuse emotional and attachment disorder [19].

Similarly, the presence of mental illness in a family, among other things increase children’s rate of hospitalization for some ailments and admission in psychiatric hospitals [21]. Parents’ mental illness especially that of a mother is highly associated with children suffering from malnutrition and diarrhoea [22]. With parental mental illness, children are exposed to series of problems such as diseases, premature birth, and living in poverty, leave alone being exposed to genetic, biological, psychological and environmental risk factors [23].

Negative social impacts of parents’ mental illness on the children

Commenting on the negative social effects parents’ mental illness have on children, discussants opined differently as shown in Table 7 below: Being discriminated against 127 (32%), hearing bad things about their ill parents 119 (30%), child loosing self-esteem 104 (26%), child living in shame 39 (10%) and others 13 (03%).

Table 7: Negative social effects on children of mentally ill parents.

This corroborates children of mentally ill parents suffer serious physical, mental and social problems. Children whose parents are mentally destabilized suffer from insecure attachment which will subsequently affect their ability to take care of their own children in the future. Children of mentally ill parents are more likely to have difficulties in observing rules, communicating effectively, solving problems, being fully aware of themselves, being victim of family conflict and enjoy less maternal affection. The mental illness of a parent poses a great challenge to the quality of life of the children in several ways [24].

In the same vein, families with mentally ill parents have less time with their parents and above all, socially suffer a lot because their parents’ abilities to take care of them is highly compromised. The stigmatization of a mentally ill member can negatively affect the entire family to the point that they wouldn’t be able to look for treatment for the sick one, the royal Australian and New Zealand college of psychiatrists. In The Gambia, because persons with mental illness are not only stigmatized but held less human, and mental illness being associated with witchcraft both by the wider society and the authorities, hardly do the government provide the required support to promote and safeguard their human rights and general wellbeing.

Psychological impacts of parents’ mental illness on the children

Responding to the psychological impacts of parents’ mental illness on children, informants felt verily as exhibited in Table 8 underneath: Living in fear 118 (21%), feeling ashamed 91 (16%), living in depression most of the time 83 (15%), feeling angry most of the time 79 (14%), being anxious most of the times 71 (13%), becoming mad 47 (08%), feeling rejected 36 (06%), being unable to eat regularly 23 (04%) and others 09 (02%).

Table 8: Psychological impacts of mental illness on the children.

This is in agreement with parents’ mental illness can cause confusion, anxiety, guilt, shame, self-blame, depression, fear and anger in the family which if not properly managed can be disastrous [25]. Children of mentally ill parents are more at danger of exposure to side effects of medication, behavioral problems, irritability and diminished responsiveness at tender age, increased risk of medical problems, injuries, convulsive disorder, hospitalization, emotional disorder, mental disorder later in life and four times more likely to commit serious criminal behavior [26]. Children of parents with mental disabilities are more at risk of developing psychiatric and behavioral difficulties compare to other children [27]. Children of mentally ill parents are two to three times more likely to develop mental problems which can be associated with many factors including low mood or mood disorder and anxiety [18]. Children of mentally ill parents suffer from increased rate of depression, anxiety, taking responsible at tender age and later on live adult disruptive life.

Similarly, children whose parents are mentally ill suffer increased risk of adverse general developmental problems and behavioral ones, the royal Australian and New Zealand college of psychiatrists 2016. Children of mentally parents suffer from attention disorder, eating disorder, anxiety, depression and disorganized patterns of attachment [19]. Offspring of mentally ill parents are known to be taking high risk behaviors including early sexual relationship, substance abuse and they also live with the fear of becoming mentally ill like their parent and later in life some became mentally ill and appears to becoming romantically involved more with the mentally ill persons and above all, they become less worried about parenting [28].

Negative economic impacts of parents’ mental illness on children

In reacting to the negative economic impacts of parents’ mental illness on children, informants commented divergently as mapped out in Table 9 below: Fall in income 105 (23%), paying bills for treatment 97 (21%), not going or being late at work 73 (16%), being dismissed from work 69 (15%), time demanding in providing support 57 (13%), customers running away 34 (07%) and others 13 (03).

Table 9: Economic impacts of mental illness on the family.

Economically, the findings revealed some negative impacts on the family concurring with family bears the financial burden of treating the mental illness of their members, in addition to the time they set aside to take care of them [29]. The economic impacts of mental illness include reduction in personal income due to the time caregivers dedicate to looking for treatment instead of working plus the cost of treatment and support services. In many advanced nations 35% to 45% of absenteeism from work is because of mental illness. Mental illness affects access to job market, retention and productive of an employee.

Similarly, the presence of any mental illness in the family can have some significant negative impacts namely stress, practical demands in caring for the sick one, poor health, social and family relationship and huge bills to settle most of the time [25]. Children of mentally ill parents have heightened risk of socioeconomic adversity including living in poorer households or living separately from their parents [30].

Negative educational impacts of parents’ mental illness on children

Participants commenting on negative educational impacts of parents’ mental illness on children shared their divergent perspectives as illustrated in Table 10 below: Going to school late most of the time 113 (17%), poor academic performance 108 (17%), not participating in class 102 (16%), lack of concentration in class 92 (15%), dropping out of school 78 (12%), being absent from school 69 (11%), lack of school fees 57 (09%) and others 11 (02%).

Table 10: Negative educational impacts of mental illness on children.

This concurs with parents’ mental illness have some major negative effects on the children resulting in increased risk of behavioral, social, emotional and educational problems [18]. Having a parent with mental illness catapult children risk of having health problems including obesity, decreased life satisfaction, lower income, lower educational attainments, being unemployed, single and engagement in substance abuse [31]. Mental illness result in physical problems (sleeplessness, headache, and extreme tiredness), psychological difficulties (depression and other psychological problems and some socioeconomic difficulties (less likely to get marry, food insecurity and increased divorce rate) while in the case of the children it include higher mortality, poor school performance and nutritional problems [32]. Parents’ mental illness negatively affect five major areas in the life of children namely his or her communication, mental fitness, educational attainments, economic achievements and the execution of adults responsibilities at later life [33].

Level of knowledge of support services needed by parents with mental illness and their children

To discuss this section of the research, it is divided into two parts namely support services needed by parents with mental illness and those needed by children of mentally ill parents.

Support services needed by mentally ill parents

Commenting on the types of support services required by mentally ill parents, informants reacted multifariously as captured in Table 11 below: Medical treatment 119 (18%), basic needs (i.e. food, clothes and accommodations) 107 (16%), continuous prayers 103 (15%), counseling 98 (15%), financial assistance 83 (12%), regular visits from the helping profession 73 (11%), scholarships for their children 57 (09%) and others 15 (02%).

Table 11: Support needed by mentally ill parents.

This align with the treatments of mental illness include various therapies, medicines, social support and education, counselling and group discussions [34]. Traditionally, in The Gambia, mental illness can be treated by the use of traditional medicines or marabouts that use curses [4]. Treatment is critical because it does not only reduce the severity of the illness but equally job absenteeism while boosting productivity [35]. Essentially, families with mentally ill member will need some support such as finance, access to key services (e.g. health, education, recreation, employment, etc.), family education and counselling [25].

In responding to the support services needed by children of mentally ill parents, respondents reacted differently as shown in Table 12 below. Basic needs (i.e. food, clothes and shelter) 107 (26%), scholarships 98 (24%), educational materials 87 (21%), counselling 56 (13%), home care 34 (08%) and others 29 (07%).

Table 12: Support needed by children of mentally ill parents.

This concurs with to effectively support children of mentally ill parents they need evidence based parenting, home visiting and peer support programmes, working paper (n.d.). To avert the children of the mentally parents encountering further social problems since they need an adult in their life, it is critical that any service to be render must be holistic and collaborative in nature. However, for any mental service to be successful, it must be holistic and allows the active participation of the members of the family or close individuals of the patient.

Similarly, child center support has the capacity to alleviate parental mental health symptoms, improve problem solving skills and increase mental health knowledge in the family [24]. To minimize the impacts of parents’ mental illness on children it is critical that they are informed about the illness very early and that they are not responsible, they are supported to establish and maintain stable home, they are happy at school and with peers, they are loved and cared for by people outside the family cycle their self-esteem is strengthen and linked to a family which is within reach psychological to boost their inner and coping skills, American academy of child and adolescent psychiatry. Families of parents with mental illness need emotional support and training in coping strategies which they can eventually apply to make life better for them more especially for the children [36].

Level of knowledge of mental illness preventive methods

Methods of preventing mental illness: In reacting to how can mental illness be prevented in the communities, respondents felt uniquely as mapped out in Table 13 underneath: General sensitization about mental illness 109 (29%), sensitization on the use of illegal substance 91 (24%), family and group counseling 79 (21%), helping single parents financially and morally 58 (16%) and others 37 (10%).

Table 13: Methods of preventing mental illness.

This is supported by to prevent mental impairment it requires counselling and improving the medical facilities [37]. To prevent mental illness in the communities there is a need for highly trained health workers, legislations, public politics and stimulation of intra-familiar interactions to map out key factors that can influence prevention and recovery [15]. To eradicate mental illness in the community it is critical to embark on prevention and promotion activities, good healthcare practices, working with the community to map out risk factors, integrating mental health in daily activities, boost resilience, identify people at risk, encourage early support seeking, etc. [38]. To improve mental care services, it requires to fight against discrimination, infrastructural development, allocation of more financial and human resources, trainings, research and medications [39].

Similarly, the prevention of mental illness demands higher training of health workers and more research to have deeper understanding of the phenomenon [4]. Addressing mental illness requires awareness rising about the phenomenon, availability of support services, provision of guidance and counselling, right and timely referrals, improved and early diagnoses and the promotion of help seeking behaviors [40]. To improve mental services in the communities, it demands training of personnels, decentralization, adequate budgetary allocation, promotion and implementation of innovative approaches and the integration of mental healthcare into the primary care [41].

Positive impacts of parents’ mental illness on children

Regardless of the adage that everything has a good and negative side, majority of us can barely notice the benefits of a parent being mentally ill [42-55]. This is largely due to many factors including the trauma associated with a family member being mentally impaired and our culture [56]. Thus, I could not have any question on the benefits of mental illness to the family [57-65]. However, I am astonished to realize from the literature review that parents’ mental illness have some benefits for the children as cited herein [67,68]. Regardless of the huge negative impacts of parents’ mental illness on their children, some children reported to have positively benefitted from it by becoming more independent, being conscious of the needs of their younger siblings, learning at early age how to provide for others, how to resolve family problems and how to be supportive in taking care of adults with mental disabilities [69-74].

Conclusion

In summary, the negative impacts of parents’ mental illness on children are multitudinous and in addition to the general ones it includes those specific ones namely social impacts, health impacts, psychological impacts, economic impacts and educational impacts. However, independence, learning how to be responsible at early age and being able to care for a sick person and one’s siblings have been found to be positive impacts on the children. To ameliorate these negative impacts access to medical treatment, basic needs (i.e. food, clothes and accommodations), continuous prayers, counseling, financial assistance, regular visits from the helping profession, scholarships for children among other services are critical. To prevent mental illness in the community general sensitization about mental illness, sensitization on the use of illegal substance, family and group counseling, helping single parents financially and morally and the incorporation of mental health in the curriculum of secondary schools topped some of the key approaches.

Limitations of the Study

The following were some of the challenges in the execution of the study:

Literature: Though there have been many similar studies in this area but few were conducted focusing on parents’ mental illness in the community and its associated impacts. Therefore it was a strong challenge to get the desire materials especially for the literature review.

Funding: There was no financial support from any institution or individual despite all attempts. If there was some financial support the study would have been easier less time consuming and above all the sample would have been bigger for generalization.

Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate

Ethics approval was not necessary for a small scale study of this nature. However, all participants voluntarily consented to participate and signed all relevant documents.

Data Availability Statement (DAS)

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. Thus, the data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical consideration.

Declaration of Conflict of Interest

I declare that there is no conflict of interest with respect to the study, authorship and/or publication of the article.

Financial Support Declaration

I received no financial support for the study, authorship and publication of this article. Thus, it was solely and wholly financed from my monthly salary.

Authors’ Contribution

I declare that the entire study was solely conducted and written by the author.

Acknowledgement

I sincerely acknowledge the technical support of my colleagues in the University of The Gambia and my family for the patience and encouragement.

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