Support needed by parents when a child's mental well‐being is threatened : A qualitative study of views of experts‐by‐experience

Abstract

<p>Background<br>In situations where a child's mental well-being is threatened, the parents also need support. The available support has been perceived as insufficient by both parents and professionals.</p><p>Aim<br>To explore the views of experts-by-experience of the support needed by parents when a child's mental well-being is threatened.</p><p>Methods<br>A qualitative study with a phenomenological approach was conducted in Finland. The data were collected in six focus group interviews during the autumn of 2022. The participants (n = 26) were adult experts-by-experience who had experienced either mental well-being challenges in their own childhood (before the age of 18 years) or experienced the mental well-being challenges of a child from the role of a parent. The data were analysed using inductive content analysis.</p><p>Results<br>The support needed by parents in situations where the mental well-being of their child is at risk consists of support for parenting, support for sharing and support for surviving.</p><p>Conclusion<br>Parents whose child's mental well-being is at risk, need support both for their own well-being and for their ability to support their child's well-being. Support is needed not only from professionals but also from peers.</p>