By Gudrun Schultz
VATICAN CITY, February 27, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Absent parents cause more harm to the mental health of their children than family violence, according to a new study by the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care (PCHPC).
In a report on mental health research conducted by the Council, the lack of “parental figures of reference” was cited as the most significant family factor leading to the development of a mental disorder. Children who do not have solid parental figures in their lives are at far greater risk of developing mental illness as adults.
The study found the second leading factor within family life that contributes to the development of mental illness was “aggressive or violent forms of behavior” within the family.
Parents who delegate responsibilities to third parties also run a significant risk of contributing to the later mental illness of their child.
The study was based on the results of a questionnaire sent to 129 bishops from countries around the world. The bishops compiled information from top Catholic mental health care centers within their dioceses.
Javier Cardinal Lozano Barragan, president of the PCHPC, spoke on the report in Adelaide, Australia, on February ninth. His suggestions for protecting the mental health of children and preventing the future development of mental illness included:
TMÂStrengthen the unity of the families, giving the marriage institution all the power it deserves.
TMÂOffer your own children an appropriate maternal and paternal image.
TMÂTreat children lovingly, offering them at the same time education with determination, clearness and vigor.
TMÂEstablish in the family solid relationships with teachers and other persons helping parents with their children, without entrusting them with duties that should never be delegated.
TMÂLet grandparents assume their proper roles.
Cardinal Barragan called for greater education within the Christian family, “providing everyone with solid life foundations in the acceptance of Christ –dead and risen- the reason of our existence.”
Read the full report here:
https://www.healthpastoral.org/text.php?cid=355&sec=4&docid=104&lang=en
Read Cardinal Barragan’s speech here:
https://www.healthpastoral.org/text.php?cid=369&sec=4&docid=109&lang=en