What Current Research Says
Depression
Impact
on
Mental
Health
Anxiety
Becoming really worried about not knowing what responsibilities are next or what the outcomes are
- Example: constantly worried about whether they are translating documents right, especially if they have to deal with important resources for the family
Developing an increased need to solve others’ problems
Constantly thinking about responsibilities and spending more time on them than schoolwork or play
Reasons for the Link Between Parentification and Mental Health
Socioeconomic status (SES), also known as household income and access to resources
- Those living in low-SES neighborhoods have a higher chance of experiencing parentification than those from rich neighborhoods
- Higher exposure to instrumental responsibilities, such as chores, due to their parents not being at home because of long working hours
- Lower access to resources may cause children to quickly learn about their family’s financial situation, making them take on the responsibility of helping their family financially
Race and Ethnicity
- White Americans reported experiencing parentification less than Black and Latine Americans
- White families generally favor the individual, also regarded as individualism, while ethnic groups place a higher value on family members helping each other (community) and role flexibility within the family
- African Americans, specifically, tend to hold strong cultural values related to family and community, emphasizing intergenerational support within the family