Exploring the mental health research priorities of parents with depression and their children.

BACKGROUND

While patient and public involvement (PPI) in research is growing, PPI in the setting of research priorities at an early stage of the research process has been limited to date. Where research priorities have been assessed, this has been done by working with members of the general public. Research priorities are likely to vary between different groups, and families affected by depression have been recognised as an important group for research.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to explore the mental health research priorities of parents with a history of depression and their children.

METHODS

Data came from the Early Prediction of Adolescent Depression (EPAD) study-a UK longitudinal cohort study of parents with a history of depression and their children. During interviews, parents (n=161) and their young adult children (n=131) were asked open-ended questions about their research priorities. Responses were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

FINDINGS

Parents and their young adult children highlighted the following research priority categories: treatment and intervention, including prevention and early intervention, public understanding of mental health, environmental or social factors that might contribute to poor mental health, the role of genetics in intergenerational transmission, and a developmental and intergenerational approach to research.

CONCLUSIONS

While prior research has identified the importance of intervention and social factors, our study also identified public understanding of mental health and aetiological research, particularly on the contribution of genetics relative to environmental factors, as priorities for parents with depression and their children.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Findings highlight the value of involving diverse groups in priority-setting exercises, including groups that are recognised as important for research, to allow their views to be incorporated into agenda-setting initiatives, including for research funding.