The Help-Seeking Experiences of Parents of Children with a First-Episode of Psychosis.

The Help-Seeking Experiences of Parents of Children with a First-Episode of Psychosis.

Skubby David; Bonfine Natalie; Tracy Hattie; Knepp Kristen; Munetz Mark R

Community mental health journal

2015

2015-11

The objective was to understand the experiences of parents as they sought psychological and specialized medical services for a loved one having a first episode of psychosis. The research method was qualitative and the data gathering was done through semi-structured interviews. Eleven parents of eight adolescent or young adult children consented to be interviewed. Data from these interviews were coded and sorted. Parents reported that many of their encounters resulted in delays in accessing treatment. These encounters were characterized by misattributions of the child's behavior, poor advice, misdiagnosis, disbelief in the seriousness of the child's condition, and an unwillingness to share information. But parents also reported that encounters with other individuals were characterized by helpful advice, emotional support, and suggestions as to how to access early intervention services. Encounters with many professionals were generally not helpful to parents. These encounters served as roadblocks to accessing proper treatment for their child. More publicity, outreach, and education are recommended in the professional community.

*Help-Seeking Behavior; Adolescence; Adolescent; Adolescents and young adults; Adult; Affective Disorders; Child Behavior; Diagnostic Errors; Early Intervention; Families; Female; First episode psychosis; Health Services Accessibility; Help Seeking Behavior – Ohio; Human; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Male; Ohio; Parental Attitudes; Parents; Parents – Psychosocial Factors; Parents/*psychology; Pathways to treatment; Patient Acceptance of Health Care/*psychology; Professional Development; Psychosocial; Psychotic – In Adolescence; Psychotic Disorders/diagnosis/*psychology/therapy; Qualitative Studies; Semi-Structured Interview; Support; Treatment Delay; Young Adult

Article information provided for research and reference use only. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).

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