Parentification is a change in parent-child relationships wherein a young child assumes roles and responsibilities typically reserved for parents. Empirical evidence shows that parentification can have potentially positive or negative impacts, including implications for child mental health and psychological distress (Borchet et al., 2022; Hendricks et al., 2021; Hooper et al., 2008; Schier et al., 2015). Accordingly, mental health research indicate that psychological distress among individuals continue to increase over time, particularly for young people (Sweeting et al., 2010). However, research which explore familial influences on psychological distress and subsequent mental health help-seeking is lacking. To fill gaps in research, this study attempts to better understand the influences of parentification, with particular regard to mental health help-seeking behaviours. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight participants with lived experiences of parentification.

Findings from thematic analysis showed that identified themes belong to four categories of positive influences of parentification; negative influences of parentification; influences of parentification to seeking mental help or support; and a supplemental finding, responsibility. The main findings of this study suggest that parentified participants experience predominantly negative influences of parentification including for their mental health. The key finding relating to the influence of parentification on mental health help-seeking is that parentified participants seek help from professionals but also have difficulty asking for help, especially from their parents. The findings also suggest that while they do seek help from professionals, it is typically a last resort approach. The results from this study provides valuable insights on familial influences on mental health and help-seeking behaviours which may be informational for researchers and policymakers.