Exploring psychosocial factors in the functional recovery of children with severe mental disorders: A qualitative content analysis

Abstract

BackgroundSevere mental disorders during childhood and adolescence can be chronic and disturbing, and may result in serious impairments in functioning. Research on the influence of such factors in the functional recovery of children diagnosed with severe mental illnesses is scant. This study aims to enhance understanding of the patterns and descriptions of social factors in the optimal functioning of children with severe mental illnesses.MethodsWe performed content analysis on 69 medical files of children taking treatment from Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (from 2018 to 2020). We analyzed the medical files using the summative approach by identifying and quantifying certain words and phrases. The Children’s Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) and data abstraction form were used to record the functioning profile and quantitative data. Socio-demographic and clinical variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics.ResultsA total of three major and ten sub-categories were identified from the data. The most striking categories in psychosocial environments were intrapersonal challenges, adverse living and relationship spaces, and outer structures and systems. Moderate to severe functional impairments were retrospectively observed among children.ConclusionChildren diagnosed with severe mental illnesses and with poor functioning are the most affected group of population and hence, require proper attention.