Identifying Parents in Child Welfare Services Who Need Mental Health Support: Depression and Anxiety Symptoms

BACKGROUND:

Parental mental illness is associated with various family-related risks, including child maltreatment and children developing own psychiatric conditions. Studies indicate that parental mental illness is more prevalent in families into contact with the child welfare system due to child maltreatment or other risk conditions. However, there is a lack of studies that routinely examine the well-being of parents reported for child maltreatment. Furthermore, there is limited knowledge of whether the severity of parental symptoms varies based on the reasons for the child welfare report.

PURPOSE AND RESEARCH QUESTIONS:

The main aim of this study is to assess the occurrence of mental health symptoms among parents referred to the child welfare services (CWS) and whether any factors are associated with the level of symptoms. The research questions are:

• Is the average level of depression and anxiety among parents reported to CWS different from that in normative and clinical populations?
• Are parent and family characteristics, the reason for the child welfare involvement, or previous involvement with CWS associated with parents' levels of depression and anxiety?

METHODS:

This is a cross-sectional study using data collected within a feasibility study of the Collaboration-Screening-Referral model (in Swedish: Samverkan-Screening-Hänvisning - SSH) - an approach to screen parents for symptoms of mental illness using structured questionnaires, establish intra-agency collaboration, and refer to mental health services. An evaluation of the effects, feasibility and experiences of the SSH-model is presented in a separate study: "Screening to Identify Parents in Need of Mental Health Support: A Feasibility Study in Child Welfare Services". The present study presents data from the questionnaire administered to parents.

CWS agencies in Swedish municipalities will be recruited to take part in the research project. Social workers will receive training in employing screening for depression and anxiety. Then, they will administer a questionnaire measuring symptoms of depression and anxiety to parents they meet as a part of routine work. They will be encouraged to present the screening to every eligible parent they meet. When parents have responded to questionnaires, it is followed by a discussion about well-being and support needs. When relevant, the social worker provides information about what mental health support is available.

Parents' data will be anonymous. The multiple-choice questions will be restricted and phrased in a way that prevents identification. The survey will be made available in several languages.

SAMPLE SIZE CALCULATION AND ANALYSES:

Mean values from the instruments will be presented descriptively. Also, compared statistically (using t-test or ANOVA) to established cut-off values/clinical samples as well as data from parents in the general population. To take account of possible nesting effects resulting of parents from the same families responding, the alpha will conservatively be set to 0.025. At least 290 participants are needed for an 80% power (alpha = 0.025) to detect a small mean difference (d = 0.20). Additionally, multiple linear regression analyses will examine variables associated with parents' symptoms.

Inclusion criteria

• A parental role in relation to a child 0-17 years old (the participant does not be a guardian or biological parent, can also be, for example, a partner to a parent).
• A child welfare report has been filed for the child or the parent has reached out to the CWS themselves.

Exclusion criteria

• Not able to read questionnaire in any available language and interpreter not available at the social services.