LAUSR

In recent years, numerous studies have been published on the experiences and burdens of children of mentally ill parents. However, a limited body of knowledge remains concerning long-term effects of parental mental illness and the experiences of these children in adulthood. This study aimed to investigate the lasting impact of parental mental illness on adult children's biographies, personalities, and social relationships. According to this, the research was guided by a life course perspective, examining participants’ experiences in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Adult children ( n  = 18) who experienced childhood parental mental illness participated in an in-depth interview study. They reported a wide range of personal problems that they perceived as a result of their stressful childhood experiences. Adult children often felt negatively influenced and impaired regarding their health, identity, behavior, social relationships, and daily life experiences. Consequently, many expressed a need for professional support in order to be able to reflect upon their experiences and problems. Clinical social workers and other health and social care professionals can play an important role in providing services for adult children of parents with mental illness. Based on the results, recommendations for psycho-social practice are presented in this paper.