Explanation of parent gender difference on needs of children of parent with mental illness: a qualitative research

Background: Parents play an important role in a child's life. The roles of parents are impaired by mental illness and this issue affects the child’s needs and meets them. Objective: This study was designed and conducted to explain gender differences of parents with mental illness on their children needs. Methods: This study was conducted using the grounded theory. Semi structured interviews were conducted with 17 participants in Qazvin 2010, selected based on purposeful and theoretical sampling. Participants included children of patients with mental disorders, their families and mental health professionals (nurses, clinical psychologist and counselor). Data were analyzed using   constant comparison method suggested by Strauss & Corbin 1998.  Findings: Economic and social outcomes are two major problems occur in father illness, But focus of outcomes of mother's illness is emotional. Although all participants believed except Parents gender, their illness affected on children; but mother illness has serious outcomes.  Conclusion: With respect to children problems in parents' mental illness, a special place for children should be considered in the patient care plan, especially when the mother has mental illness that this issue is more important.