Antolín-Suárez L. , RODRÍGUEZ MEIRINHOS, ANA, Nieto-Casado F.J. , BAENA MEDINA, MAGDALENA SOFÍA
No
Child. Youth Serv. Rev.
Article
Científica
1
1
01/01/2026
2-s2.0-105046091771
This study explores the support needs of parents of adolescents with mental health problems. Given the increasing prevalence of mental health problems among adolescents and the critical role of parents in their care, understanding these needs is essential for developing effective interventions. This study aimed to describe and prioritize the most frequently reported support needs, examine their associations with adolescents’ characteristics (e.g., diagnosis, age, gender), and explore how these needs relate to parents’ mental health. A total of 217 parents of adolescents aged 12–17 receiving mental health care participated. Parents reported their perceived support needs using a newly developed instrument (ISN-PAMH), along with measures of psychological distress and life satisfaction. Parents prioritize informational and educational support, particularly related to understanding mental health conditions, treatment options, and managing adolescent crises. Instrumental support from mental health and educational professionals was also highly valued. Significant differences in support needs were found across diagnostic categories, with parents of adolescents with comorbid internalizing and behavioral disorders reporting greater emotional and socio-emotional support needs, and parents of adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders emphasizing emotional validation and community acceptance. Parents’ perceived support needs were linked to their mental health, with higher support needs correlating with greater psychological distress and lower life satisfaction. These findings underscore the importance of providing families with multilevel support that addresses both adolescents’ and parents’ mental health. The study offers valuable insights for designing effective, family-centred mental health programs and policies. © 2026 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Adolescence; Mental health; Parental support; Support needs