Coping and stress in families of child psychiatric inpatients: parents of children with depressive and schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Coping and disruption were examined in parents of children with depressive and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Parents described disruption in their family lives, relationships, leisure time, and work functioning. High maternal disruption was associated with the absence of intimate relationships and child chronicity. Parents most frequently reported using active cognitive coping strategies, but with the advantage of hindsight, advised seeking community resources for helping their children.