title: A survey of programs for parents with mental illness and their families: Identifying common elements to build the evidence base.
abstract: Little is known about the effectiveness of interventions for families living with parental mental illness. Existing interventions offer information about successfully implemented treatments, which may demonstrate effectiveness in research. In the current study, directors of programs for parents with mental illness and their families were interviewed. Qualitative analyses revealed noteworthy similarities with respect to target population; funding; community context; agency context; mission, theoretical orientation, and assumptions; locus of care and essential services; desired outcomes; and moderators. Program similarities were identified to provide parameters for research, and to contribute to the development of testable hypotheses. Family-centered, strengths-based approaches were identified across program directors as critical to intervention success.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Center for Mental Health Services Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01655, USA. Betsy.Hinden@umassmed.edu
authors.forename: Beth R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Hinden
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Biebel
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nicholson
authors.forename: Alexis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Katz-Leavy
mesh_terms: D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D016730:Program Development; D014481:United States