Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Abbreviations
- List of tables and boxes
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Assessment and treatment: general principles
- 3 Making a summary and action plan
- 4 Development and developmental problems
- 5 Intellectual disability
- 6 Habit disorders
- 7 Emotional problems
- 8 Behaviour and related problems
- 9 Specific problems in adolescence
- 10 Alcohol and drug dependency
- 11 Psychotic disorders
- 12 Chronic physical illness and disability
- 13 Physical illness without an identifiable physical explanation
- 14 Stressful situations
- 15 Parents and the needs of children
- 16 Mental health promotion
- 17 Medication
- References and suggested reading
- Appendix 1 My star chart
- Appendix 2 Guide to medication for use in childhood mental disorders
- Index
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Abbreviations
- List of tables and boxes
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Assessment and treatment: general principles
- 3 Making a summary and action plan
- 4 Development and developmental problems
- 5 Intellectual disability
- 6 Habit disorders
- 7 Emotional problems
- 8 Behaviour and related problems
- 9 Specific problems in adolescence
- 10 Alcohol and drug dependency
- 11 Psychotic disorders
- 12 Chronic physical illness and disability
- 13 Physical illness without an identifiable physical explanation
- 14 Stressful situations
- 15 Parents and the needs of children
- 16 Mental health promotion
- 17 Medication
- References and suggested reading
- Appendix 1 My star chart
- Appendix 2 Guide to medication for use in childhood mental disorders
- Index
Summary
Parental marriage relationships and children
Case
Odra, a 7-year-old girl, was brought to the clinic by her mother with a number of problems that had been going on for several months. These included bed-wetting, fears of going to school (although she had previously liked school), and not wanting to play with her friends. Her mother said that these problems had started at a time when there had been difficulties in her relationship with her husband. He was a clerk in a government office. They had always got on well together, but 6 months ago he had started to be irritable and angry with her. He would not talk about why he had changed. She had not known what the problem was until a female friend had told her that he had started a relationship with a younger woman he had met at work. Odra's mother said she had been really upset and had confided in Odra's 14-year-old sister, but she could not talk to Odra about it. Now she was worried that her husband was going to leave her. He had started to spend nights away from the home, saying he had extra work to do, but she knew this was not true. She was sure that Odra's problems were caused by all the unhappiness in the home. What should the health professional do?
Information about parents’ marriages and children
Most health professionals will know about the behaviour norms for marriage in their locality. In many places, however, the nature of the relationship has changed over recent years because of increasing Western influence. In all societies, no matter what the type of marriage, children have a need for continuing warmth and affection from their parents. The following are ways in which marriage varies across cultures.
Ages of marriage
In some societies, marriage at 16 years is common; in others it is regarded as highly undesirable.
Pre-marital relationships
In cultures where marriages are arranged, the bride and bridegroom may not have met or have met only a few times before marriage. In others, the couple may have lived together for several years and had children before they marry.
Residence after marriage
In some cultures it is expected that the bride will go to live with her husband's family. In others it is normal for the couple to set up a home on their own.
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- Where There is No Child PsychiatristA Mental Healthcare Manual, pp. 148 - 170Publisher: Royal College of PsychiatristsFirst published in: 2017