Prevalence and risk factors of parental mental health problems: a cross-sectional study

An understanding of the prevalence and risk factors of parental mental health problems is important for early intervention and prevention measures and shaping services for parents and their children. However, large representative surveys of parental mental health problems and associated risk factors are lacking. The aim of this study was to estimate prevalence rates of parental mental health problems using a standardized measure of psychiatric morbidity (General Health Questionnaire; GHQ-12), in a representative sample of parents and care-givers of children and young people (2-19 years) in Northern Ireland. Further, this study explored associated risk factors of parental mental health problems. A random household survey of parents and children was conducted between June 2019 and March 2020. Parental responses on demographic, economic, familial and psychological measures were collected (N=2,815) and 22% of parents and care-givers screened positive for mental health problems. The STROBE checklist for observational research was adhered to. Multivariate logistic regression indicted that being in receipt of benefits, having poor family support, a history of adverse childhood experiences, a history of exposure to politically-motivated violence (the Troubles), having a child with conduct problems and poor health, were all independent risk factors of increased parental mental health problems. Findings will help to inform future commissioning and development of services and broaden understanding of the correlates of parental mental health problems.