PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS IN CHILDREN OF PARENTS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY FROM LAHORE, PAKISTAN

Objective: Mental illness in parents and its link with adverse outcomes for children has been well reported in western literature, but there is a paucity of published studies from Pakistan on this issue. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of psychological problems in children of parents having mental illness and to compare it with children of parents without any diagnosed psychiatric problems in urban area of a developing country. Methodology: A case control study was conducted from January to April 2008 in Lahore. Following informed consent, cases were recruited through interviewing psychiatric patients. Controls were children of parents with no diagnosed psychiatric illness and were recruited through a school. A structured questionnaire for demographic information, and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were filled in by parents. Results: Seventy-six parents were recruited to get a sample of 200 children. ( 100 cases, 100 controls). The mean age of children was 9.7 years and 111(55.5%) were boys. Children of parents with psychiatric problems had almost two times higher rate of mental health problems compared to controls (55% versus 28%; P value <0.001). Emotional difficulties (P=0.028) and conduct problems (P=0.025) were found to be statistically significant. Boys were more likely to be hyperactive and have conduct and social difficulties. Girls had higher rates of emotional problems. Conclusion: Children of parents with mental illness are at much higher risk of childhood psychiatric problems. Risk was higher for males than females. Majority of parents had not sought any help for their children difficulties.