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. 2008 Jun;105(23):413-8.
doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2008.0413. Epub 2008 Jun 6.

The children of mentally ill parents

Fritz Mattejat  1 , Helmut Remschmidt
Affiliations

The children of mentally ill parents

Fritz Mattejat et al. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2008 Jun.

Abstract

Introduction: The children of mentally ill parents have a higher risk of developing mental illnesses themselves over the course of their lives. This known risk must be taken into account in the practical provision of health care.

Methods: Selective literature review.

Results: The increased psychiatric risk for children of mentally ill parents is due partly to genetic influences and partly to an impairment of the parent-child interaction because of the parent's illness. Furthermore, adverse factors are more frequent in these families, as well as a higher risk for child abuse. Genetic and psychosocial factors interact with one another. For example, genetic factors moderate environmental effects; that is, the effect of adverse environmental factors depends on the genetic substrate.

Discussion: Preventive measures for children of mentally ill parents urgently need improvement. In this article, positively evaluated programs of preventive measures are discussed. Essential prerequisites for success include appropriate, specialized treatment of the parental illness, psychoeducative measures, and special support (e.g. self-help groups) as indicated by the family's particular needs.

Keywords: family medicine; mental illness; parent-child relationship; pediatric illness; prevention.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The lifetime risk of schizophrenia is correlated with the degree of relationship to the patient (first-degree relatives are at greater risk than second-degree relatives) (5, 6).
Figure 2
Figure 2
The association between the number of stressful life events and the probability of having a depressive episode in three genetically distinct groups, as reported by Caspi et al. (12). The three groups differ with respect to the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR): s/s = probands with two short alleles, s/l = probands with one short and one long allele, l/l = probands with two long alleles. From: Caspi A et al.: Influence of life stress on depression: moderation by a polymorphism in the 5-HTT gene. Science 2003; 301:386–9, with the kind permission of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, New York.
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