Intergenerational parenting practices, experiences and service needs of adult children of a parent with mental illness

This thesis explored the influence of parental mental illness on adult children’s own parenting roles and attachment, and sought to gain first-hand perspectives about intervention needs and related service provisions. It identified that adult children cherished their role as parents but expressed needing more guidance around setting appropriate boundaries for their children. Adult children expressed a need for accurate and representative anti-stigma campaigns, to reduce their experiences of family stigma. Through a synthesis of findings, recommendations for research and implications relating to clinical practice, education, and policy were put forward to inform and guide those who continue to work with and support adult children and families where a parent has a mental illness.