The impacts of parental mental illness on their children: An exploratory study conducted at Vhembe District of Limpopo province
Mental illness is a serious problem worldwide with approximately 11.9% diagnosed females and 9.3% males; affecting about 970 million people worldwide (Our world in data, 2018). In South Africa, the rates of children who are exposed to parental mental illness are growing rapidly, leading to negative impacts on their children (Kamis, 2020). Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the impacts of parental mental illness on their children. The objectives of the study were: to explore the impacts of being raised by mentally ill parents as well as to formulate and outline coping strategies intended to reduce the challenges faced by children raised by mentally ill parents. The study was qualitative in nature and utilized exploratory, descriptive and contextual research designs to explore the impacts of parental mental illness on their children. The study was conducted at three villages of Nzhelele region, Mauluma, Mavhunga and Makumbwi in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province. A sample of 12 Tshivenda-speaking children/adolescents between the age of 15 and 20 both males and females residing with mentally ill parents were selected using homogeneous type of purposive sampling method. This type of purposive sampling was appropriate as the researcher was aware of the families of children with mentally ill parents within the selected villages. Semi-structured interviews and an interview guide were used during the data collection process, and the study employed thematic analysis for the purpose of data analysis. Pre-testing of the interview guide was done using three children between the age of 15-20 who are residing with mentally ill parents and those children were excluded from the actual study. In the present study, trustworthiness was assessed using the criteria of credibility, confirmability and transferability. Furthermore, the study adhered to the following research ethics; institutional ethics, informed consent, confidentiality/anonymity, avoidance of harm, voluntary participation, publication of results and acknowledgement of others’ work. The findings of this study revealed that parental mental illness has crucial impacts towards their children. The study found psychological, academic and social impacts of parent mental illness on their children. The following impacts were identified: stress and depression, suicidal ideation, low self-esteem, academic failure, school drop-out, bullying, social stigma, financial problems, social withdrawal, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse as well as poor upbringing. Furthermore, the study suggested that implementing psychosocial support, mental health awareness campaigns, community outreach programmes and social media mental health promotion might help in reducing the impacts of being raised by mentally ill parents. Based on the findings of the study, the study recommends that the Department of Social Development through social workers, conduct community outreach programmes to address social issues faced by children of parents with mental illness. The study further recommends that the Department of Health employ psychological practitioners in public clinics based in rural villages to make psychological services accessible to disadvantaged families. Moreover, the study recommends that the Department of Education implement anti-bullying policies to protect and create safe learning environment for all learners and those who are living with mentally ill parents.
Parents, Mental illness, Social stigma, Children
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