Parenting with Common Mental Disorders: Effects on Offspring

Common mental disorders (CMDs), encompassing conditions such as depression and anxiety, exert profound effects on parental behavior and parental dynamics. Despite a prevalence of 5.1% in India, there is a limited research on CMDs in parents and their implications on their parenting. This review aimed to explore the impact of parental CMDs on their parenting style and its impact on their children and identify the research gaps. A systematic search from January 2014 to January 2024 focused on parents with depression and anxiety disorders (CMDs). Studies focusing on the impact of parenting on children of parents having CMDs and those prioritizing parenting impacts were undertaken. After exclusion and inclusion, 11 studies underwent thematic analysis. Varied parental responses to mental illness emerged. Paternal behaviors affected child anxiety and family conflicts. Children’s mental health in turn worsened parental mental health, causing a vicious cycle. Parenting styles significantly shaped children’s psychosocial development. CMDs profoundly influence parenting behaviors and childhood outcomes. Expanding research is crucial to implement effective support strategies and fostering better outcomes through improved parental mental health.