Impact of childhood mental health disorders on the family: A Case report

Abstract

AJOL Abstract: Background: Care of the children with mental health disorders is fraught with challenges particularly in developing countries and, where the family isthe major source of care. Consequently assessing the impact of these disorders on the family is relevant to providing these children with optimal care.Objective: To assess the impact of childhood mental health disorderson family function and parental burden.Method: A monogamous family that had 3 children diagnosed as having childhood onset schizophrenia using the International Classification of Disease version 10(ICD 10) Classification was studied. Family function was assessed using the Family APGAR Score and the Zarit Burden Interview(ZBI) Score used in assessing parental burden.\Results: The Family APGAR Scores were low (highly dysfunctional family) and the ZBI Scores high (highly burdened) in the family. Areas of serious dysfunction in the family were in adaptation, partnership and growth.In the ZBI Scores feelings about quality and cost of care offered, stress and other negative attributes associated with providing care, inability to meet other parental obligations and uncertainty about the future, were the major contributors to the highly burdensome outcome.Conclusion: The study highlights significant family burden and dysfunctionin a family who had three children with schizophrenia. It underscored the need for provision of more comprehensive health and social support  services to children with mental health disorders and their families.Key Words: Childhood, Schizophrenia, Parent, Burden, Family function