15 | P a g e
Systematic Narrative
Review
Family focused support for children and
young people with mental health difficulties
a systematic narrative review
Abstract
Context:
Evidence suggests the family have the greatest influence over and can either
exacerbate or alleviate the mental health difficulties of a child or young person
(C&YP). In comparison with the UK, C&YP in Northern Ireland (NI) exhibit 25%
more mental health difficulties. From a practice perspective there has been a
significant referral increase pertaining to C&YP mental health. Therefore, the
aim of this review was to identify the characteristics and contributing factors of
family focused support that impact on C&YP mental health.
Methods employed in the review:
This systematic review employed a methodical robust search of the follow
databases:
• PsychInfo (Ovid platform),
• Social Care Online (SCIE) (Web of Knowledge),
• Scopus
• Applied Social Services Index and
• Abstracts (ASSIA) (ProQuest Platform).
Three concept groups were developed: systemic approaches, mental health and
C&YP. These groups were expanded upon or refined using the databases
search functionality and Boolean operators. Seventeen articles with a mixture of
both quantitative and qualitative research were identified as meeting criteria
following critical quality appraisal.