Childhood experiences pursue adulthood for better and worse: a qualitative study of adults’ experiences after growing up with a severely mentally ill parent in a small-scale society

Background: Growing up with a severely mentally ill parent can impact on subsequent adult life,
and it can be extra challenging in a society with a small population, known as a small-scale society.
Life in a small-scale society is characterised by multiple close relationships, lack of anonymity and a
conservative attitude towards normal behaviour.
Aims: To look at the impact of growing up with a mentally ill parent on adult life in a small-scale
society.
Methods: Data from semistructured interviews with 11 adult children of severely mentally ill
parents were reanalysed and subjected to secondary analysis.
Results: The additional analysis resulted in four central themes: ‘becoming open and courageous’,
‘seeking and giving help’, ‘feeling uncertain and different’ and ‘being resilient and sensitive’. These
were conflated into an overarching theme: ‘childhood experiences track into adulthood for better
and worse’. The themes elucidate a diverse big picture and encompass positive and challenging
features of adult life in a small-scale society.
Conclusions: The study ends with recommendations for the early establishment of collaboration
and family-focused interventions with mentally ill parents and their children