A systematic review on the mental health of parents of individuals with learning disabilities

Abstract

The transforming care programme aims to increase care provision in the community for individuals with learning disabilities (LDs) in the United Kingdom resulting in more parents taking on carer responsibilities. Previous research suggests that having a child with LD may be associated with impaired mental health in parents. However, previous reviews have often conflated poor mental health with wellbeing or quality of life and have grouped people with LD together despite the LD severity and/or the underlying cause of LD, both of which may have different types of impact on parents. This review aims to critically appraise and synthesise the literature on the mental health of parents with children with LD of unknown cause to answer the question, ‘Do parents of individuals with LD of unknown cause experience diagnosable mental health difficulties?’ Following PRISMA guidance, this systematic review found seven studies, obtained from four databases, meeting a strict set of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Studies were assessed against the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. A narrative synthesis of the results found that rates and severity of diagnosable mental health difficulties were higher in mothers of children with LD of unknown cause than mothers of typically developing children, Down syndrome and LD of known cause, but lower than mothers of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. LD severity also appears to be a factor impacting parental mental health. Findings suggest that LD services need to provide more psychological support for parents and families.