Navigating peer relationships: What do friendships look like for children whose parents have mental illnesses?

Peer support programmes among children whose parents have mental illnesses rarely focused on how these relate with peers in the general population. Therefore, this phenomenological study Ghana involved interviews 13 (ages 10 to 17) living parental illness learn about their peer relationships. Data were analysed identify phenomenon's essential features and constituents. The finds that relations entail secrecy, victimisation abuse. To children, keeping secrets ensures they ‘normal’ relationships like others, as troubled can develop when are informed parents' illness. Name-calling, teasing withdrawal persists aware of one's Although perceive may find comfort who a similar situation, pros cons developing out in-groups be verified rather than assumed. It is recommended helping professionals educate school address myths its impact