Prevalence and sociodemographic characteristics of parents among patients treated in adult psychiatric hospitals - a register-based nationwide study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Children of parents with mental illness face heightened risks of adverse health, social, and educational outcomes. Yet, families affected by parental mental illness are often overlooked in mental health and social care systems. Identifying parents in psychiatric care enables targeted interventions to mitigate intergenerational risks. This study aims to estimate the prevalence and describe the sociodemographic characteristics of patients in psychiatric hospital services in Denmark who are parents, with particular focus on those living with minor children, to inform future preventive support strategies.

Methods

Using Danish nationwide register data from 2020-2022, we identified individuals with at least one adult psychiatric hospital contact. Parenthood was determ

SUBMITTER: Heuckendorff S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12440855 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature