Exploring psychiatrists’ perspectives on supporting parents with mental health Challenges: A mixed-methods study

Jasmin, Mireille, Piché, Geneviève, Villatte, Aude, Reupert, Andrea, Clément, Marie-Ève, Müller, Anne Dorothee, Fournier-Marceau, Marianne, Maybery, Darryl, Morin, Marie-Hélène ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0549-1641 et Richard-Devantoy, Stéphane (2026). Exploring psychiatrists’ perspectives on supporting parents with mental health Challenges: A mixed-methods study. PLoS One, 21 (2). (e0342923).

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Résumé

Background
Parenting responsibilities can be particularly challenging for patients receiving mental
health services, often resulting in a range of negative impacts on children. Incorporat
ing a family-focused approach into the usual care of parents with mental illness has
been recommended to promote patient recovery while supporting the well-being of
children and the entire family unit. This study aimed to document the family-focused
practices undertaken by psychiatrists working with parents who have a mental illness
and to explore potential facilitators and barriers to these practices.

Methods
A sequential explanatory mixed-method design was used, combining an online sur
vey and individual interviews. Family-focused practices were reported by 27 psy
chiatrists through the French version of the Family-Focused Mental Health Practice
Questionnaire. Follow-up qualitative individual interviews were conducted with 5
psychiatrists. Item-by-item analysis of the quantitative data was performed, followed
by a thematic analysis of the qualitative data, integrating findings from both sources.

Results
Although psychiatrists acknowledge their patients’ parenting role, most are reluctant
to provide further support. Key barriers to family-focused practice include the pre
dominantly individual-focused nature of psychiatric care, stigma, consent issues, and
limited collaboration between adult and child services. Facilitators include psychi
atrists’ professional autonomy, personal experience, and confidence in conducting
family meetings.

Conclusion
Psychiatrists can play a pivotal role in identifying, acknowledging, and providing
appropriate support to parents with mental illness and their families, including chil
dren. Developing comprehensive guidelines and targeted training is essential to
equip psychiatrists with effective strategies for addressing parenting challenges
in patients with complex mental health issues. Additionally, psychoeducational
resources for children should be incorporated. Implementing these initiatives may
lead to more compassionate, targeted care and improved outcomes for parents and
their families

Type de document :	Article
Validation par les pairs :	Oui
Départements et unités départementales :	Département de psychosociologie et travail social
Date de dépôt :	29 oct. 2026 19:40
Dernière modification :	29 oct. 2026 19:40
URI :	https://semaphore.uqar.ca/id/eprint/3705