4. Children of parents with MI

Question 1

Why focus on children?

Answer 1

• prevalent
• early prevention/intervention
• parenting mediates experience + buffer adversity + CREATE ‘SELF’
  家长影响儿童健康，所以得支持家长
• children of parents with MI are also at risk, due to shame/stigma
  家长精神病：导致改变 Attachment (亲情+呵护) & 儿童更易精神病 & 疑惑害怕
• Security：平衡于过度保护孩子 or 忽视孩子
• 最好坦白提升 Resilience，来避免家长隐瞒/Confusion

Question 2

What are the NPs for children of parents with MI?

Answer 2

• acknowledge of challenges:
  > inconsistent parenting
  > lack of positive reinforcement, hard to develop ‘self’ & independency
  > shame, fear, anger

- things that nurses look for:
> meet the needs
> attachment
儿童需要：被爱被保护，了解儿童感受（别让孩子感到有罪）
> signs of stress, ie separation, anxiety

Question 3

What are nursing interventions to children in this situation?

Answer 3

childhood:
- self-centred
- developing self-esteem
- difficulty self-soothing
- opportunities for guided independence

Questions for assessing children’s mental status:

• Do you worry about anyone in your family?
• What do you know about mental illness?

Signs of stress: poor school performance, stomach pain

Question 4

What are nursing interventions to adolescence in this situation?

Answer 4

Adolescence:

• developing independence
• self-control
• peer relationships
• familial responsibilities, life plan

Questions for assessing children’s mental status:

• What does your parent’s illness stop you from doing?
• What do you know about MI?

Signs of stress: poor school attendance, lack of social engagement

Question 5

What are the potential effects of having a parent with MI?

Answer 5

a. Resilience and posttraumatic growth
b. High emotional intelligence
c. Responsible & practical problem-solving skills (cooking etc.)