Impact of parental psychiatric disorder and physical illness
Stein A., Harold G.
© 2015 by JohnWiley & Sons, Ltd. All rights reserved. This chapter reviews research linking the intergenerational transmission of parent psychiatric disorder and physical illness to psychological outcomes for children. A conceptual model is presented to guide an understanding of the mechanisms of transmission. A review of the main psychiatric and physical disorders and the associations with different child outcomes is provided. Relevant mediating and moderating variables are presented within this section. Key lessons for clinical practice are discussed including guidance for assessment and the use of relevant interventions. The need for health care professionals to be aware of the risks of parental psychiatric and physical disorders for children is emphasised while noting that the effects are not inevitable. The relative lack of appropriate treatment trials in many areas is noted. The need for additional research in low and middle income countries is urgently needed.