Parental influence on the mental health-related behaviour of young people with mental illness: Young people’s perceptions

Parents of young people with mental illness use a variety of strategies to try to positively influence young people’s mental health-related behaviours. Evidence suggests that these parents can influence young people’s well-being and mental health trajectories. However little is known about how young people perceive and are affected by the strategies parents use. In-depth qualitative interviews focussing on parental involvement in mental health were conducted with 26 young people with mental illness. The data were analysed using constant comparative analysis. Young people described parents as directly influencing their mental health-related behaviour through facilitative, persuasive and controlling practices. Young people’s behavioural and emotional responses to these practices were influenced by when the incident occurred; what they believed about the attitudes and motives behind their parents’ actions; whether they agreed in principle with the practices; the degree to which they accepted their parents’ authority and anticipated their own increasing autonomy; and whether other support was provided alongside the behavioural practices. Understanding how young people view their parents’ influence on their mental health-related behaviour under different circumstances is a vital step towards promoting the best possible parental support for these young people.