What we do
About our project
Background Information
Children of parents with mental illness are at increased risk of developing mental health problems themselves. Early recognition and intervention are important for supporting healthy development in these children and promoting the mental wellbeing of their parents.
Aim of the Study
Our goal is to ensure optimal developmental opportunities for every child. Therefore, this study explores how (digital) screening and monitoring of children of parents with mental illness can be integrated into the parents’ therapy.
Study Design: Interviews
To gain deeper insight into the factors that hinder or facilitate screening and monitoring, we will interview 20 families in which at least one parent has a mental illness - this includes both parents and children—as well as their health care professionals. Parents and children will also complete screening questionnaires and reflect on the process with a clinically trained member of the research team, ideally together with their current health care provider.
Study Design: Focus Groups
In addition to the interviews, two focus groups will be held with health care professionals and policy officers. These sessions will address the topic of screening and monitoring children of parents with mental illness, and explore ways to improve collaboration between youth and adult mental health care services.
Our research focus
Children of parents with mental illness are at increased risk of developing mental health problems themselves. We want to achieve optimal development opportunities for every child by early detection and intervention.
Funds & Grants
This project is funded by the ZonMW program “Wat werkt voor de Jeugd” (“What works for Youth”)
Collaborations
Collaboration within Erasmus MC
We collaborate with the Psychiatry department.
Collaboration outside of Erasmus MC
- Antes,
- PsyQ,
- De Opvoedpoli,
- Gemeente Rotterdam,
- iHub,
- Indigo,
- MijnKind/Ivido.
Our team
- dr. Esther Mesman (lead investigator, GZ-psychologist, Clinical Psychologist in training, Assistant Professor)
- dr. Hilmar Bijma (sub-investigator, gynaecologist)
- dr. Rosanne Smits (postdoctoral researcher)
- Esther van Efferen (orthopedagoog-generalist, psychotherapist in training,)
- Nienke Rietema, MSc (psychologist, psychotherapist in training)
- prof. dr. Manon Hillegers (head of department Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/psychology)
