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A Qualitative Study of Programs for Parents with Serious Mental Illness and Their Children: Building Practice-Based Evidence

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Abstract

The rationale for the development of effective programs for parents with serious mental illness and their children is compelling. Using qualitative methods and a grounded theory approach with data obtained in site visits, seven existing programs for parents with mental illness and their children in the United States are described and compared across core components: target population, theory and assumptions, funding, community and agency contexts, essential services and intervention strategies, moderators, and outcomes. The diversity across programs is strongly complemented by shared characteristics, the identification of which provides the foundation for future testing and the development of an evidence base. Challenges in program implementation and sustainability are identified. Qualitative methods are useful, particularly when studying existing programs, in taking steps toward building the evidence base for effective programs for parents with serious mental illness and their children.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank our colleague from the University of Massachusetts Medical School Center for Mental Health Services Research, Valerie Williams, for her comments on earlier drafts. Our greatest thanks go to the many program administrators and staff, participants, and community collaborators who agreed to participate in this study and generously gave their time to support the effort. This research was supported by a contract from the Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (CMHS-99M00481801D).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Mental Health Services Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA

    Joanne Nicholson PhD, Beth R. Hinden PhD, Kathleen Biebel PhD & Alexis D. Henry ScD

  2. Center for Health Policy Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA

    Alexis D. Henry ScD

  3. 3053 Porter Street NW, Washington, DC, 20008, USA

    Judith Katz-Leavy MEd

Authors
  1. Joanne Nicholson PhD
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  2. Beth R. Hinden PhD
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  3. Kathleen Biebel PhD
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  4. Alexis D. Henry ScD
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  5. Judith Katz-Leavy MEd
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Correspondence to Joanne Nicholson PhD.

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Nicholson, J., Hinden, B.R., Biebel, K. et al. A Qualitative Study of Programs for Parents with Serious Mental Illness and Their Children: Building Practice-Based Evidence. J Behav Health Serv Res 34, 395–413 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-007-9063-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-007-9063-5

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