Service Needs of Families where one Parent has an Affective Illness: Implications for Service, Education, and Policy

This study explored the service needs of families with a parent with an affective illness. Focus-group and individual interviews were conducted at selected locations across Canada with individuals who had an affective disorder, their partners, and their adult children. A total of 67 participants were recruited. Corresponding service providers were mailed a questionnaire which asked information regarding these families' needs, the service provider's role with these families, and what prevented or assisted them in addressing those needs. A total of 419 service providers participated in the study. There was congruence between family-identified needs and the needs identified by service providers. However, there remains a large disparity between the knowledge of needs and having these needs met. The results of this study identify the gaps in service provision and make recommendations for changes in the areas of service, education, and policy-making.