Occupational therapy in parenting support for people living with a mental health disorder: current practice and potential developments

Abstract

Introduction. Parents with a mental health disorder (MHD) present special needs for which current health and social services are often not adapted. The occupational therapist is well equipped to assess and intervene on parenting skills and on the safety and well-being of the family system. However, the role of the occupational therapist in supporting parenthood with adults with MHD remains unknown.

Objective. To identify the extent of knowledge regarding current practices and those to be developed by occupational therapists to support the parenting of adults with MHD.

Methodology. A scoping review using the methodology described by Arksey and O'Malley (2005) and Levac et al. (2010) was conducted using the Embase, Medline, CINAHL and PsycInfo databases, as well as grey literature (Google Scholar, GreyLit, Opengrey and GreySource Index). All data was subjected to a descriptive-analytical narrative analysis based on the Canadian practice process framework (CPPF).

Results. Of the 1785 scientific articles and documents retrieved, 9 articles from the databases, and 23 documents from the gray literature met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results were organized into three main themes which are the current practices of occupational therapists, the effectiveness of the interventions, and the occupational therapy practices to be developed, and the levers for their development or improvement. The results illustrate the importance of advocating a preventive and family-centered approach, of ensuring collaboration between the various stakeholders, of developing interventions that are accessible and adapted to the clientele, and of supporting the development of the skills of occupational therapists. The role of change agent for occupational therapists is essential.

Conclusion. Occupational therapists must continue to deploy, document, and evaluate their practices related to parenting, given their considerable contribution to the well-being of the family. The development and strengthening of practices must also be based on research targeting contextual challenges as well as on initial and ongoing training.