Africa Pino

Children of parents with mental illness grow up in extremely challenging environments. Some either live with those parents or are brought up with immediate family members, foster homes or are adopted out altogether. Many times, their relationships with their siblings are cultivated in a storm of chaos, confusion, or uniquely close bonds as a result of the familial mental illness. This literature review will study the effects (if any) on adult sibling relationships as well as the various other social relationships that children of parental mental illness have experienced. Much research has been conducted on the impact and effect of parental mental illness on children, however, few have extended beyond that stage and examined those children’s relationships in adulthood. Methods used are: quantitative statistical, mixed methods approach, conventional sociological qualitative and interview study. Items to consider: How are sibling relationships developed and fostered from living with parents of mental illness? Are their sibling relationships solidified or in shambles due to the family ties and history from their parent’s cogitative disturbances? Does witnessing their parent’s psychological struggles instill confidence, motivation, and inspiration in their abilities to create external social relationships or does it produce boundaries of skepticism, shame, and distrust of desiring to reach out and discover relationships beyond the limits of home? Are they freely discussing their parent’s illness in their intimate relationships or refrain from that topic of conversation because this is “family business?” What counseling methods is the best approach in assisting adult siblings of parental mental illness with any presenting relationship issues? Can counseling offer preventative efforts before the emergence of relationship problems? This study will bring about a deeper understanding for adult children with parents of mental illness and its impact on their relationships with their siblings as well as their other social relationships (family members, intimate partners, friendships, colleagues, and peers). According to the World Health Organization (2014) 1 in 4 people, globally, are affected with a mental disorder. One in five American adults experiences a mental illness annually (NAMI, 2015). There are over 300 mental disorders listed in the DSM-5 according to the American Psychiatric Association (2013). By these facts and figures alone, one may hypothesize the number of parents living with a mental illness is likely to be in the millions (Nicholson, Biebel, Hinden, Henry, & Stier, 2001). Children of parents with mental illness grow up in extremely challenging environments (Slominski, 2010). Some either live with those parents or are brought up with immediate family members, foster homes or are adopted out altogether ("Understanding the Effects of Parental Mental Health on Children and the Family," 2011). This study investigated the differential effects of adult siblings’ interpersonal and social relationships in those who have experienced parental mental illness. An abundance of research has been examined on the significance and effects of parental mental illness on children, however, few have expanded beyond that stage of emotional development and scrutinized the impact this has had on their offspring’s relationships in adulthood (Mowbray, Bybee, Oyserman, MacFarlane, & Bowersox, 2006).