Parental Mental Health and Attachment

 

 

 

 

 

 

A child’s ability to adjust to interact with the world around them is developed by and dependent upon their relationships with their parents and caregivers.  What we may see as parent bonds many also be considered a child attachment.  Secure attachments develop when a parent or caregiver relationship with the child are consistent, safe and predictable.  When children develop secure attachments they are comfortable to safely explore their environments and return to their parents.  Securely attached children will approach adults to assist when they are distressed, while also self-regulating at a greater rate.  The securely attached child also demonstrates greater interest and awareness of others, when parents or caregivers are not responsive to their child’s emotional distress or communicative intent, children then develop an insecure attachment.   When children are insecurely attached they tend to be less interactive and willing to seek adult support for comfort or assistance.  Insecure attachments affect interpersonal relationships, academic skills and the self-regulation abilities over a lifetime. 

 

 

Globally, parental mental health can pose significant barriers  to the forming of strong attachments   If parents are unable to take care of themselves they may not be able to respond to the needs of the children.  There are multiple factors that have direct links to the status of the parental and associated child’s mental health.

 

1.  Single parent status is highly correlated with mental health problems including dissatisfaction, anxiety and or psychiatric disorders.  Both lone mothers and fathers have higher risk of mood and anxiety disorders

a.  This may be a result of typing to be a single parent

b.  Loneliness or dissatisfaction with a dissolved relationship

c.  Financial status  or socio economical stressors

2.  Single mothers are more likely to access mental health services than those with partners, whereas lone fathers are less likely to seek supports and therefore are more at risk.

3.  A higher level of parental education may influence the adult children to seek further education and seek higher paying jobs, therefore reducing some stressors related to financial burdens.  However the mental health of two parent families with both parents working is also affected when parents encounter pressures around availability of time to engage in routine and caregiver activities.  Parents in positions of great responsibility also experience the pressures of maintaining familial and work related commitments. 

4.  There is a correlation between ethnicity and mental health.  This may also be associated barrier associated with lower job satisfaction, socioeconomic status, language, cultural and sense of isolation.

5.  Parents with children with exceptionalities may encounter mental health issues due to the strain of ongoing caregiver responsibilities as well as strains on the marital dynamic if present.  Children with complex needs may not be able to reciprocate the parent’s affections or express gratitude in a traditional fashion.  Alternatively, if parents are not fully engage with their child, they may miss some of the subtle communicative cues provided to express needs and emotions.

There are no easy solutions to adult mental health.  However, treatment is the best way to ensure a quality of life for those affected and their families.

 

 

 

 

References

Erin, M. I. (2010). Review of interventions to improve family engagement and retention in parent and child mental health programs. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 19(5), 629-645. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10826-009-9350-2

Mental health; exploring how a parent's education can affect the mental health of their offspring. (2012). NewsRx Health & Science, , 1762. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/920434795?accountid=14872

Lipman, E. L., Offord, D. R., & Boyle, M. H. (1997). Single mothers in ontario: Sociodemographic, physical and mental health characteristics. Canadian Medical Association.Journal, 156(5), 639-45. Retrieved from Wade, T. J., PhD., Veldhuizen, S., & Cairney, J. (2011). Prevalence of psychiatric disorder in lone fathers and mothers: Examining the intersection of gender and family structure on mental health. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 56(9), 567-73. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/896733156?accountid=14872

Barrett, A. E., & Turner, R. J. (2005). Family structure and mental health: The mediating effects of socioeconomic status, family process, and social stress*. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 46(2), 156-69. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/201663567?accountid=14872

Beasley-Sullivan, K. (2010). How duration of relationship with a care provider and creating connected care with parents impacts resilience in infants and toddlers. Fielding Graduate University). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, , 122-n/a. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/497056401?accountid=14872. (497056401).

Fitzpatrick, T., Janzen, B., Abonyi, S., & Kelly, I. (2012). Factors associated with perceived time pressure among employed mothers and fathers. Psychology, 3(2), 165-174. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/997954084?accountid=14872

How divorced parents with kids can succeed. (2011, Nov 06). Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/902300077?accountid=14872

Doyle, O., Joe, S., & Caldwell, C. H., PhD. (2012). Ethnic differences in mental illness and mental health service use among black fathers. American Journal of Public Health, 102, S222-S231. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1017604785?accountid=14872

de Graaf, R., Bijl, R. V., Smit, F., Vollebergh, W. A., & Spijker, J. (2002). Risk factors for 12-month comorbidity of mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders: findings from the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study. American Journal of Psychiatry, 159(4), 620-629.

 

Spijker, J., Graaf, R. D., Bijl, R. V., Beekman, A. T. F., Ormel, J., & Nolen, W. A. (2004). Functional disability and depression in the general population. Results from the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study (NEMESIS). Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 110(3), 208-214.

 

Birth: Then and Now

The Experience

Many people, who think about child development and childhood experiences, may consider their experiences based upon their first memories or emotional connections. However, we seldom reflect upon our initial introduction to this world and the supports  received as impacting our development.

 

My mother was born  on farm, with a neighboring midwife assisting my grandmother during the labor. This is how all children in her family were born.  some children died.  However, my grandmother and mother remained healthy.  She took care of her newborn and three of her other children that day.   As a pioneer woman,she was up and about,completing  chores the next day. There was limited consideration for the  mental and physical condition of maternal or infant health during tht time period. 
 
I was born 35 years later during a time when most women went to hospitals to have their children.  I was  my parent's first child, to be born.  I was arriving several days late, after several false alarms. When the day arrived, my mother was in the labor room alone as my father was working out of town. I cannot imagine the stress that my mom was under as she had experienced multiple miscarriages prior  this point.  She did not have any emotional support during a long, painstaking labor.   During labor, she experienced extensive tearing and required several stitches. Subsequent to labor, she was briefly given some time to hold me. At that time, men customarily did not accompany the women into the labor rooms, however, in many cases may have remained at the hospital. I met my father after an hour.  My mother and I remained at the hospital for one week after my birth, while she healed. When  my father brought us home, my maternal grandmother stayed with us until she felt that my mother was able to be mobile and lift me. At home, both parents and extended family met my basic needs in different ways.
 
 

Current North American practices support families in attempts to ensure maternal health to a greater degree. Birth classes and coaches help to inform parents about the birth experience while offering suggestions how to provide emotional support. Medical monitoring and intervention are available to observe and monitor the infant and mother. Healthy mothers and infants may be sent home within 24 hours of giving birth. It may not be common to have comprehensive amounts of extended family supports, but other the partner will stay home for some time to support mom and the infant. Nurses from the local health centers may support new parents and babies during regular visits. Parents may also elect to develop support systems by participate in parent support groups with other new parents.
 

Today, most mothers and infants in developing countries do not have the same  experience. According to the World Health Organisation 2012 statistics indicate that 99% of maternal deaths occur in developing countries. In Africa there has been minimal improvement in maternal and infant health in spite of efforts that have being taken over the past 25 years. Access and improvements to facilities, skilled medical supports, trained birthing attendants and maternal education are available. However quality prenatal and post natal care are not being accessed to prevent medical complications. Often poverty, limited knowledge and traditional beliefs continue to pose barriers to ensuring quality maternal and infant care. This has a significant impact upon the survival of the mother and developing child. They may need to access postnatal medical care due to of infection or complications. In addition, adequate access to safe drinking water, proper nutrition, vaccines and mosquito can mean that a typical child may survive infancy.  Inspite of what we know about maternal education and health, healthy outcomes for infants can not be achieved without ongoing support.

 

References

Smidt, S. (2006). The Developing Child in the 21st century: A Global Perspective on Child Development. (pp. 1-        15). New York, NY: Routledge.

Berger, K. S. (2012). The Developing Person Through Childhood (6th ed.).( pp. 3-21).  New York, NY:      Worth Publishers.

Berger, K. S. (2012). The Developing Person Through Childhood (6th ed.).(pp. 93-123).  New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010). Learning about Children. [Webcast]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tabGroup=courses&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fcontent%2FcontentWrapper.jsp%3Fcontent_id%3D_8154022_1%26displayName%3DLinked%2BFile%26course_id%3D_2099654_1%26navItem%3Dcontent%26attachment%3Dtrue%26href%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.adobe.com%252Fgo%252Fgetflashplayer%252F. 

World Health Organization.  (May, 2012). Fact sheet 348. Maternal Mortality.  Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs348/en/index.html

World Health Organization.  (May, 2012). Fact sheet 348. Reduce Child Mortality.  Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12345404

Abouzahr C, Royston .Excessive hazards of pregnancy and child birth in the third world.  African Women Health.  1992. Apr-Jun;1(3):39-41 Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12345404  

Jacobson JL.  Maternal mortality and morbidity. Zimbabwe's birth force. News l Womens Global Network  Reproductive Rights. 1991 Jul-Sep;(36):16-7. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12284525