Sibma, L.J.D. (2025) Attention to parenthood during treatment of patients with (severe) mental disorders A cross-sectional patient file research study. thesis, Medicine.
Full text available on request.Abstract
Background: Children of parents with a mental illness have an increased risk of developing mental health problems. It is important to discuss parenthood in adult mental healthcare to determine whether families need additional support. Yet, it is unclear how often parenthood is discussed during the treatment of psychiatric patients with minor children. Objective: This study aims to determine how frequently parenthood is addressed in treatment and whether addressing parenthood is associated with psychiatric departments, professions, and patients' concerns about their children. Methods: Information from 72 patient files and intake surveys from the University Center of Psychiatry in Groningen were used to determine if a patient was concerned about the upbringing of their children and whether, by which profession, and in which department, parenthood was discussed. One-sample proportion z-test, chi-square test, and Fisher’s exact test were used to analyse the extracted data. Results: Parenthood was addressed in 41.7% of cases. Associations between departments and addressing parenthood were found, though not conclusive. Among professions, medical social workers addressed parenthood most often (37.3%). Physicians discussed parenthood more frequently than expected, while psychologists and nurses did less than expected. No significant association was found between patients’ concerns and addressing parenthood. Conclusion: While discussions about parenthood should be a standard procedure in the treatment of psychiatric patients with children, parenthood discussions are often overlooked in mental healthcare. Future research is needed to explore the barriers and facilitators to parenthood discussions and to measure the impact of strategies on addressing parental concerns.
| Item Type: | Thesis (UNSPECIFIED) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Jörg, Dr. F. and Maeder, L. and Bak, M. |
| Faculty: | Medical Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 05 May 2026 13:31 |
| Last Modified: | 05 May 2026 13:31 |
| URI: | https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3943 |
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