Part one: How do family relationships affect mental health? by Chloe Ford
Family is an integral part of our lives. It is the area in our lives where we learn, develop and grow. Having a strong and supportive family can actually improve your mental health. As “companionship, emotional support and often even economic support can have a positive impact” (Destination Hope) on the people within that family. Being able to have a stable family life where they support your all around wellbeing can impact you very positively. While negative family dynamics can lead to a worsening of mental health. Moreover, “research has demonstrated that non-supportive families can detract from someone’s mental health and or cause a mental illness to worsen.” (Destination Hope). Essentially a family is there to guide children to the path that is best for them, without that guidance bad decisions may be made and resilience may not be developed. Having family activities that you do together (like eating meals together, doing homework, going outside, etc.) can bring families closer
(Family Psychiatric Therapy). In turn the children are able to feel supported and seen, making them feel more confident and further allows them to accomplish what they want in life.
If the family is unable to provide economic, emotional and physical support it can make life more difficult and worsen one’s mental health. When looking at childhood and developmental impacts due to family turmoil and strife, it means that a person has experienced “adverse childhood experiences.” Some examples of these experiences can include:
Being a victim of violence, abuse or neglect at home
Witnessing violent acts in your home or community
A family member attempting or committing suicide
Substance abuse
Mental health problems
Having parents who are separated/divorced
A household member who is incarcerated (Integris)
Although these do not necessarily mean one will have mental health issues, it does increase your risk for it. Even just experiencing one of these experiences can actually cause mental health disorders like Post-Traumatic Stress disorder, depression or even anxiety. Some of these situations may mean the parent or family is unable to provide emotional, physical or economic support. These are incredibly difficult to deal with and grow up in. As shown previously a lack of support in any of these areas can have negative outcomes on children’s well-being.
Understanding how a parent's parenting style can further affect the children's mental health is an important note. As these styles contribute to overall family dynamics. The four main styles of parenting include:
Authoritarian. There are clear rules and punishment when those rules aren’t met, but there is little warmth involved. In this structured environment, it’s more of a my-way-or-the-highway type attitude. Without needed support, children may never feel they’re good enough and can develop depression when raised by authoritarian parents.
Authoritative. Parents develop clear standards and are responsive to their children’s needs in a democratic way. Instead of being the boss, they are open to communication and will listen to their children. Growing up in an authoritative household provides a child with a solid foundation, but they’re also likely to maintain a strong connection with their parents through adulthood.
Permissive. Expectations are low, and permissive parents generally are more lenient and have few rules to abide by. Even when rules are broken, permissive parents tend to avoid conflict. Without much grounding, children raised like this may be more impulsive and prone to seeking risks. Anxiety and depression risks are also in play.
Uninvolved. The least restrictive of the four, uninvolved parents are simply that — they’re uninterested and invest little time in their children. Parents who are uninvolved generally have little communication or involvement with their kids. Rules matter little to them and they don’t enforce misbehaving. Children in these types of households are more at risk of struggling in future relationships due to withdrawal and fear of abandonment. Relationships, in general, may be anxiety-provoking due to the nature of their upbringing. (Intergris)
One parenting style isn’t better than another, they all have their strengths and weaknesses. However, understanding what style you are or your parents is can help one better understand their relationship with that person. It can also further help one understand how that has contributed to their own mental health struggles.
Having that understanding that providing a strong sense of security and support is what family is there for. It is there to help foster growth and the development of people in that family. When we lack in areas and relationships that are important it can be very hard to live a healthy lifestyle. Furthermore, when that integral part of our lives is not a healthy dynamic, it can very clearly lead to bad mental health.
Part two: How does mental health affect family relationships? by Aveen Pouranpir
Mental health can have a significant impact on family relationships and an overall issue in society with about “1 in 4 U.S. adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder.” (John Hopkins) When a family member is experiencing mental health issues, it can affect the entire family dynamic and strain relationships. Family relationships are often the closest and most intimate relationships that individuals have, and when one member of the family is struggling with their mental health, it can be challenging for everyone involved. According to Christian Mental Health Services
“Some of the top issues for family members and caregivers are:
The mental illness often becomes the family’s primary focus
Family members have different perceptions of the problem and have conflicts about the solutions
Feelings of helplessness, frustration, loss, guilt and compassion fatigue”
Mental health is a very serious part of a persons life as it can ve very hard for them and have a “ huge impact on a family's financial and emotional components” (Priority Group)One of the ways in which mental health can affect family relationships is through communication problems. When someone is struggling with their mental health, it can be difficult for them to communicate effectively with their family members. They may be withdrawn, irritable, or have trouble expressing their feelings. This can create tension and misunderstandings within the family, leading to conflicts and strained relationships.
Another way in which mental health can affect family relationships is through increased stress. Living with someone who has mental health issues can be very stressful for family members. They may feel like they have to walk on eggshells around their loved one, or constantly worry about their well-being. This can lead to high levels of stress, which can take a toll on the family's relationships and overall health.
Mental health issues can also cause significant changes in the family's dynamics. For example, if a parent is struggling with depression, they may not be able to fulfill their usual role in the family, such as taking care of the children or participating in family activities. This can put additional strain on other family members, who may have to take on extra responsibilities or adjust to new roles. This can be particularly challenging for children, who may struggle to understand why their parent is behaving differently or not able to spend as much time with them.
Financial strain is another way in which mental health issues can affect family relationships. If someone is unable to work due to their mental health, it can be difficult to make ends meet. This can lead to stress and tension within the family, as well as feelings of guilt or shame for the person with mental health issues.
Unfortunately, mental health issues are often stigmatized in society. Family members may feel embarrassed or ashamed to talk about their loved one's mental health issues, which can lead to secrecy and isolation. This can further strain relationships within the family and make it difficult for them to seek help and support.
When someone in the family has mental health issues, other family members may take on caregiving responsibilities. This can be very challenging, especially if the person with mental health issues requires a lot of care and attention. Caregiving can be physically and emotionally exhausting, which can lead to burnout and resentment.
Despite these challenges, there are steps that families can take to support each other and maintain strong relationships in the face of mental health issues. One of the most important things that families can do is to communicate openly and honestly about their feelings and concerns. It's important for family members to talk to each other about what they are going through and what kind of support they need.
Seeking professional help is another important step for families dealing with mental health issues. Mental health issues often require professional help, such as therapy or medication. It's important for family members to encourage their loved one to seek help and to offer support throughout the process. They may also benefit from seeking their own therapy or support groups to help them cope with the challenges of supporting someone with mental health issues.
Practicing self-care is also crucial for family members who are caring for someone with mental health issues. It's important for them to take time for themselves and engage in activities that they enjoy. This can help to reduce stress and prevent burnout.
Finally, educating oneself about mental health issues can help family members to better understand what their loved one is going through. This can help to reduce stigma and increase empathy and understanding. There are many resources available for families seeking to learn more about mental health issues, including books.
Part three: How to prioritize your mental health and improve family relationships by Christina Dinh
Mental health should be an utmost priority. With the engagements required from school, work, extracurriculars and at times, even family, it is necessary to take a step back and allow oneself to be a priority.
Here are some ways to prioritize one’s mental health within a family context (adapted from Real Simple):
Identify your stressors
At times, it is hard to know what is stressful within life and it may also very well be one’s family. However, knowing what part of the family context that makes you stressed is essential as it allows you to reflect on what to give priority to and where to focus. Nonetheless, it is necessary to be patient and kind to yourself as you go about knowing what your stressors are and how you can mitigate their effects. For example, identifying that your family depends on you for tasks causes you stress along with having to care for a family member will allow you to know where to start to slowly relax and overcome such stressors.
Set Boundaries
While family is very important, knowing to say “No” is essential. It is essential to look at one’s personal limitations and also to prioritize one’s self. While setting boundaries may cause the family member to have some adverse opinions and responses, it is perfectly okay. Stick to your decision because it is ultimately your decision to make and what is best for you and your mental health. For example, if a family member is asking you to go pick their children up from school while you have midterms going on and will also go to work near the pick-up time, it is okay and important to say “No,” to set these boundaries between what you can handle and what you cannot. There is no need to stress yourself out because even though family members are family, they should be understanding and compassionate to your situation. Just make sure to not let them make you feel guilty for wanting to protect you and your energy!
Take care of physical health
Exercise and diet are key to helping you prioritize your mental health with family. When your family is stressing you out, feel free to exercise out the stress and to also show your body some love and appreciation for all it does for you. Exercise and a healthy diet play a huge role in increasing positive emotions as well. This also helps boundary setting as Real Simple notes exercise “clears” the mind and makes it more ready to tackle challenges. It should not, however, be just about physical appearance but how it makes you feel. Taking some time off to decompress by swimming, walking, running, going to the gym, etc. for even just 10 to 15 minutes a day will have beneficial results.
Take a pause!
The world gets busy and even your family can weigh down on you. If you live with your family, it is necessary to take a mental and also physical pause from them and give time to yourself. No matter how busy things get, it is essential to put yourself first. On days where your family is getting to you along with work and school, focusing on taking care of yourself can be done through meditation and mindfulness. Mindful.org in particular is a great place to start for novice meditation and learning about mindfulness. Mindfulness allows for a mental pause in the whirlwind that is family stress. It can take many forms but the most popular are just being conscient of where you are, how you are feeling, and what you are doing. Focusing on the present moment is key to avoiding mental health stressors and also ones that involve family obligations. For example, driving to work or school and focusing on the action of driving and the noises along with the scenery around you. Or, even eating and noticing the sounds of the fork against the plate, taking slower bites. Being mindful is key to giving your mind a break and also to ease you from stress. Furthermore, mindfulness can also manifest in meditation. Taking two quick minutes to close your eyes, take a deep breath, and be in tune with yourself and your surroundings is essential to dealing with family turmoil and stress. To show yourself that you deserve to relax and deserve a moment to yourself.
Finally, while there are many ways to prioritize your mental health, one main way would be to consult a professional.
Although self-help tools are beneficial, setting an appointment with a mental health professional can help you deal with family stressors and complicated family dynamics. Therapists will be better equipped to provide techniques on how to deal with unique family dynamics and stressors. In addition, this shows a prioritization of mental health as you are giving time to decompress and allow yourself to feel and to experience feelings due to your family situation while being eased of the stress.
REFERENCES
Destination of Hope. (2016). How Does Family Life Affect Mental Health?
Family Psychiatry & Therapy. (2021). Discovering How Family Bonding Improves Mental Health. https://familypsychnj.com/2021/05/discovering-how-family-bonding-improves-mental-health/
Group, P. (n.d.). Does mental health affect and impinge on family relationships? Priory. Retrieved February 24, 2023, from https://www.priorygroup.com/blog/does-mental-health-affect-and-impinge-on-family-relationships
Intergris. (2021). How Parents Affect Their Child's Mental Health. https://integrisok.com/resources/on-your-health/2021/may/how-parents-affect-their-child-mental-health
Loggins, B. (2022). How to Put Your Mental Health First This Year.
Mental health disorder statistics. Mental Health Disorder Statistics | Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2023, February 1). Retrieved February 24, 2023, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/mental-health-disorder-statistics
Mental illness affects the whole family. Pine Rest Newsroom. (2022, October 12). Retrieved February 24, 2023, from https://www.pinerest.org/newsroom/articles/mental-illness-affects-whole-family-blog/#:~:text=Some%20of%20the%20top%20issues,loss%2C%20guilt%20and%20compassion%20fatigue
Suraliya, S. (2023, February 7). How mental health affects family relationships. Your Mental Health Pal. Retrieved February 24, 2023, from https://yourmentalhealthpal.com/how-mental-health-affects-family-relationships/
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