The mental health of parents plays an important role in how children grow and feel. A literature review published in the Journal of Student Research found that when parents have mental health challenges (like depression or anxiety), their children are more likely to have emotional, behavioral, or developmental problems.
To help families, programs called parent-focused interventions have been created. These interventions help parents cope with mental health challenges and build better parenting habits, which in turn provide children with a safer, more supportive home.
When parents get the help they need, it can break cycles of stress and improve the happiness and well-being of the whole family.
Understanding the Research
To explore how parental mental health affects children and to assess parent-focused interventions, the authors performed a systematic review of the literature. They were able to identify relevant studies by searching major databases, such as PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar.
They included only the studies that met their criteria, then summarized and analyzed them to find patterns, strengths, and gaps.
Here are the main findings on the connection between parent and child mental health:
Children of parents with poor emotional health had higher rates of mood and anxiety disorders.
Fathers’ depression was linked to depression in adolescents.
Mothers experiencing stress after disasters had children with increased mental distress.
Children’s mental health can also affect parents; for example, mothers of children with autism who had behavioral challenges experienced higher levels of mental distress.
Moreover, the review found that parent-focused interventions can benefit both parents and their children:
Programs that help parents connect with their children and manage emotions can make kids behave better, lower parents’ stress, and create stronger, happier parent-child relationships.
Programs targeting only the parents (without directly involving the children) were able to reduce anxiety in children. In fact, the effect on the children was comparable to other active treatments that might directly involve the child.
Training programs for parents of children with ADHD showed potential to improve behavior and reduce parent stress, though study quality was mixed.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helped reduce anxiety in children with ADHD and improved family outcomes.
Practical Strategies for Parents and Caregivers
Kids pick up on our moods and emotional struggles, even when we don’t realize it. This makes us realize that prioritizing our own mental health isn’t just self-care. It’s child care.
Here are some strategies you can start using today to support your emotional health while helping your child feel calmer:
Make time for things that recharge you
You can’t pour from an empty cup. A parent who is overwhelmed or burned out may unintentionally react with irritability or frustration, which can affect the child.
You might take a short walk around the block, enjoy a cup of tea in silence, listen to your favorite music, journal for a few minutes, do a quick stretching routine, or call a supportive friend.
If you’re struggling with stress, anxiety, or depression, remember that seeking therapy or counseling isn’t a luxury — it’s a way to support both you and your child.
Model healthy ways to cope with stress
It’s okay to feel frustrated, anxious, or overwhelmed. What matters is how you respond. Take a few deep breaths before reacting, name your emotions out loud, or step away for a short break. Your child mirrors the stress-management skills you show them.
Remember, you don’t have to do this alone
Support is really important, and reaching out isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s a sign of strength. Talking to others who understand your experiences can help you feel less alone and give you a safe space to vent or share challenges.
If your child has ADHD, joining a parent support group can be especially helpful. You’ll gain tips, learn from other parents’ experiences, and even celebrate small victories together.
Future research may focus on creating programs that help children develop resilience, especially when a parent is struggling with mental health challenges.
If your child needs support, we offer mental health worksheets across a wide range of topics — coping skills, stress management, self-esteem, and more. Discover them here.
