Young people living with mental illness: Managing parental involvement

Background/ Aims: Parents can be an important source of support for young people living with mental illness. Young people have the potential to shape this support to best suit their needs, however little is known about this issue. This paper explores, from the perspectives of young people, how they manage parental support and involvement. Methods: Interviews were conducted with 26 young people ( 15-24 years old) who were living with mental illness and in frequent contact with at least one parent. These were analysed using constant comparative analysis. Findings: Young people reported shaping parental involvement using a combination of facilitation, compliance and resistance. Their actions were determined by a complex alignment of their wish for parent involvement, perceived potential to influence their parents, and ability to communicate their needs. Conclusions: By understanding these dynamics, therapists working with young people and their parents can help address barriers to achieving optimal parent support for young people experiencing mental illness.