Exploring the mental health research priorities of parents with depression and their children

TL;DR

This study explores what mental health research topics are most important to parents with depression and their children, emphasizing the need for inclusive research priorities.

Contribution

The study identifies novel research priorities from the perspective of families affected by depression, including public understanding and genetic factors.

Findings

Parents and children emphasized the importance of treatment, prevention, and early intervention for mental health.

They highlighted the need for better public understanding of mental health and the role of environmental and genetic factors.

A developmental and intergenerational approach to research was identified as a key priority.

Abstract

While patient and public involvement (PPI) in research is growing, PPI in the setting of research priorities at an early stage of the research process has been limited to date. Where research priorities have been assessed, this has been done by working with members of the general public. Research priorities are likely to vary between different groups, and families affected by depression have been recognised as an important group for research.

We aimed to explore the mental health research priorities of parents with a history of depression and their children.

Data came from the Early Prediction of Adolescent Depression (EPAD) study—a UK longitudinal cohort study of parents with a history of depression and their children. During interviews, parents (n=161) and their young adult children (n=131) were asked open-ended questions about their research priorities. Responses were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Parents and their young adult children highlighted the following research priority categories: treatment and intervention, including prevention and early intervention, public understanding of mental health, environmental or social factors that might contribute to poor mental health, the role of genetics in intergenerational transmission, and a developmental and intergenerational approach to research.

While prior research has identified the importance of intervention and social factors, our study also identified public understanding of mental health and aetiological research, particularly on the contribution of genetics relative to environmental factors, as priorities for parents with depression and their children.

Findings highlight the value of involving diverse groups in priority-setting exercises, including groups that are recognised as important for research, to allow their views to be incorporated into agenda-setting initiatives, including for research funding.