Parenting and mental illness: a pilot group programme for parents.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a pilot group programme for parents with a mental illness that was developed and implemented on the NSW Central Coast.


CONCLUSIONS
The Parenting and Mental Illness Group Program is a 6-week group programme that is followed by four weekly, individual home visits. Data from the Eyberg Child Behaviour Inventory and Parenting Scale suggest the programme produced positive outcomes in children's behaviour and parenting practices; the programme was also viewed favourably by participants. While encouraging, these findings require replication, using larger numbers and evaluation of the programme in other sites. Supported by an evidence base, programmes such as this will be important to implement if mental health services are to improve outcomes for parents with mental health problems and their children.
Phelan
Ruth
R
Central Coast Children and Young People's Mental Health, Northern Sydney Central Coast Health, Gosford, NSW, Australia.
Lee
Lana
L
Howe
Deb
D
Walter
Garry
G
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006792:House Calls; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016487:Parenting; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016730:Program Development; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors