Is Preventing Transmission of Mental Illness from Parent to Child Possible?

Interventions for parents decreased risk for childhood psychiatric diagnosis by 40%.

Parental psychiatric illness affects the mental health of offspring through biological and environmental factors. To determine if mental health interventions for parents affect the mental health of their children, researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials that included 1490 children of parents (72% mothers) with depression, anxiety, affective disorder, or drug or alcohol dependence. Interventions were heterogeneous and included cognitive or behavioral and psychoeducational approaches to individual, group, and family therapy. Four studies examined interventions aimed at the family, four were aimed at parents or couples, three were aimed at mothers, and two were aimed at adolescents.

In the …

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics