Exploring psychiatrists' perspectives on supporting parents with mental health Challenges: A mixed-methods study.

Psychiatrists acknowledge their patients' parenting role but are mostly reluctant to provide further family-focused support.

• Data were collected from 27 psychiatrists via an online survey using the French version of the Family-Focused Mental Health Practice Questionnaire
• Follow-up qualitative individual interviews were conducted with 5 psychiatrists
• A sequential explanatory mixed-method design was used, combining quantitative and qualitative phases
• Item-by-item analysis of quantitative data was performed, followed by thematic analysis of qualitative data with integration of findings from both sources

The predominantly individual-focused nature of psychiatric care was identified as a key barrier to family-focused practice.

• Psychiatric care systems are structured around the individual patient rather than the family unit
• This orientation limits psychiatrists' engagement with parenting roles and family dynamics
• This barrier was identified through both survey responses and qualitative interviews

Stigma and consent issues were identified as barriers to family-focused practice among psychiatrists.

• Stigma was reported as a barrier that impedes psychiatrists from engaging with patients' parenting roles
• Consent issues were identified as complicating factors when attempting to involve family members or children in care
• These barriers emerged from the integrated analysis of quantitative and qualitative data

Limited collaboration between adult mental health services and child services was identified as a barrier to family-focused practice.

• Psychiatrists reported difficulty coordinating care across adult and child service systems
• This systemic barrier was identified as limiting the support that could be provided to children of parents with mental illness
• The finding emerged through thematic analysis of qualitative interviews integrated with survey findings

Psychiatrists' professional autonomy, personal experience, and confidence in conducting family meetings were identified as facilitators of family-focused practice.

• Professional autonomy was reported as enabling psychiatrists to incorporate family-focused elements into their practice
• Personal experience with family work was identified as a facilitating factor
• Confidence in conducting family meetings was specifically noted as a facilitator
• These facilitators were identified through thematic analysis of qualitative data integrated with survey findings

The authors concluded that developing comprehensive guidelines and targeted training is essential to equip psychiatrists with effective strategies for addressing parenting challenges.

• Guidelines and training were recommended as essential to improve family-focused practice among psychiatrists
• Psychoeducational resources for children were specifically identified as needing to be incorporated into care
• The authors suggested these initiatives may lead to 'more compassionate, targeted care and improved outcomes for parents and their families'
• Psychiatrists were described as being able to 'play a pivotal role in identifying, acknowledging, and providing appropriate support to parents with mental illness and their families, including children'

Parenting responsibilities can result in a range of negative impacts on children of parents receiving mental health services.

• The background literature supports that children of parents with mental illness are at elevated risk of negative outcomes
• A family-focused approach has been recommended to promote patient recovery while supporting the well-being of children and the entire family unit
• Incorporating family-focused practice into usual care of parents with mental illness has been recommended in the literature