Understanding how parental stress affects follow-up care for adolescents after psychiatric hospitalization

A mixed-methods investigation of parental burden and adolescent service use following discharge from psychiatric hospitalization

NIH-funded research George Mason University · NIH-10892071

This study looks at how the stress parents feel about their child's mental health affects whether their child gets the follow-up care they need after leaving the hospital, and it also considers how family income might play a role in this situation.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionGeorge Mason University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Fairfax, United States)
Project IDNIH-10892071 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the relationship between parental burden and the use of mental health services by adolescents following their discharge from psychiatric hospitalization. It aims to understand how the stress parents experience due to their child's mental health challenges influences the likelihood of their child receiving necessary follow-up care. The study will utilize a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data on service use with qualitative insights from families to explore these dynamics over time. Additionally, it will examine how socioeconomic status affects these relationships, particularly for families facing greater barriers to accessing care.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12-17 who have recently been discharged from psychiatric hospitalization and their parents or guardians.

Not a fit: Patients who are not recently discharged from psychiatric hospitalization or those outside the age range of 12-17 may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved support systems for families, enhancing access to mental health services for adolescents and potentially reducing the risk of rehospitalization.

How similar studies have performed: While there has been research on parental burden and youth mental health, this specific mixed-methods approach focusing on post-hospitalization service use is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Fairfax, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.