Suicidal thoughts and behaviours in parents caring for children with disabilities and long-term illnesses

O'Dwyer, Siobhan T., Sansom, Anna, Mars, Becky, Reakes, Lisa, Andrewartha, Charmaine, Melluish, Julia, Walker, Anna, Biddle, Lucy, Slater, Tom, Burrows, Dan, Hastings, Richard P., Moran, Paul, Stallard, Paul and Janssens, Astrid 2024. Suicidal thoughts and behaviours in parents caring for children with disabilities and long-term illnesses. Archives of Suicide Research 10.1080/13811118.2024.2363230

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Abstract

Objective: There is a growing body of evidence on suicide risk in family carers, but minimal research on parents caring for children with disabilities and long-term illnesses. The aim of this study was to conduct the first dedicated research on suicide risk in parent carers and identify: (1) the number of parent carers experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours, and (2) the risk and protective factors for suicidality in this population. Method: A cross-sectional survey of parent carers in England (n=750), co-produced with parent carers. Suicidal thoughts and behaviours were measured with questions from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey. Frequencies summarised the proportion of carers experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours. Logistic regressions identified risk and protective factors. Results: 42% of parents had experienced suicidal thoughts and behaviours while caring for a disabled or chronically ill child. Only half had sought help for these experiences. Depression, entrapment, dysfunctional coping, and having a mental health diagnosis prior to caring, were significant risk factors. Conclusion: Parent carers contemplate suicide at levels that exceed those of other family carers and the general public. There is an urgent need, in policy and practice, to recognise parent carers as a priority group for prevention and intervention.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	In Press
Schools:	Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education)
Publisher:	Taylor and Francis Group
ISSN:	1381-1118
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	27 June 2024
Date of Acceptance:	29 May 2024
Last Modified:	19 Jul 2024 14:04
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/170139

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