The Psychosocial Impact of Parental Multiple Sclerosis on Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common debilitating neurologic disease that affects mostly young women. This review provides an overview of research on the psychosocial impact of parental MS on children to inform clinicians and support people with MS considering parenthood.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed by searching the MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and PSYNDEX databases.

Implementation of preventive mental health services for children of physically ill parents: experiences in seven European countries and health care systems.

Objective: Parental physical disease is a family issue, but families' minor children are seldom considered. The current study analyzed experiences with implementation of counseling for families with physically ill parents and minor children during a European multisite pilot project.

Method: Implementation protocols of seven European partner centers collaborating in a joint research project were analyzed by Mayring's qualitative content analysis.

Mental health problems in children of somatically ill parents, e.g. multiple sclerosis.

Objectives: Based on the investigation of 144 families (144 patients affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS), 109 partners, and 192 children) examined in three different European child and adolescent psychiatric University centres by means of questionnaires, we evaluated the prevalence of psychological symptoms in the offspring and associated risk factors such as duration and severity of the disease as well as depression of the ill and the healthy parent.

Results: Indicate that the severe disease of MS is associated with depression of the ill and healthy parent. Ill parents, especially ill mothers, as well as depressed ill, or depressed healthy parents evaluate their children's mental health problems with a higher prevalence within the internalizing spectrum.

Lessons learned in the implementation of an innovative consultation and liaison service for children of cancer patients in various hospital settings.

Objective: To evaluate the process of implementing a family-oriented consultation and liaison service in various hospital-based settings, with special regard to problems and obstacles encountered.

Method: Qualitative content analysis using categorization and sequential, phenomenological analysis of descriptive progress notes during the implementation period. The team members of the liaison service were defined as participant observers.