ABSTRACT
M any young children live with mothers, fathers, or other caregivers with mental illness. Estimates suggest 26% of adults ages 18 and over expe-rience a diagnosable mental health disorder each year (Kessler, Chiu, Demler, & Walters, 2005), and that between 21% and 23% of children may live in families where at least one parent has a mental illness (Maybery, Reupert, & Goodyear, 2006). The impact of parental mental illness on the psychosocial development of children is well known. Poor developmental outcomes are four to six times more likely among children of families affected by parental mental illness (Nicholson, Cooper, Freed, & Isaacs, 2008). There is an increased risk for children of parents with mental illness (COPMI) to experience mental disorders themselves in adulthood. Mental illness occurs among one-third, temporary mental health concerns are reported by an additional one-third, and one-third do not experience any emotional or behavioral disturbances (Rutter & Quinton, 1984). As suggested by Reupert and Maybery (2007), families affected by parental mental illness may be particularly at risk as a result of associated poverty, social isolation, and marital conflict. Symptoms associated with mental illness among parents can result in implications for self-esteem among young children. Research has clarified that the impact of parental mental illness on parenting skills is associated with the severity of psychiatric symptoms and the amount of community support rather than a specific diagnostic category (Mowbray, Oyserman, Bybee, & MacFarlane, 2002). This chapter identifies issues related to self-esteem among COPMI and discusses community-based, family-centered interventions. A case study is also presented to illustrate key concepts and themes.
