How Does Having Borderline Intellectual Functioning Affect Parents' Mental Health?

What you need to know

• Parents with borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) have higher rates of mental health issues compared to parents without BIF
• Being a parent is associated with increased risk of common mental disorders, regardless of intellectual functioning
• Parents with BIF are more likely to see their doctor and receive mental health treatment, but may still have unmet needs
• More specialized mental healthcare and support services are needed for parents with BIF

What is borderline intellectual functioning?

Borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) refers to having an IQ score between 70 and 85, which is below average but above the cutoff for intellectual disability. People with BIF may have some difficulties with day-to-day tasks, learning, and social interactions, but these challenges are less severe than for those with intellectual disabilities.

It’s estimated that 11-13% of people have BIF. While not considered a disorder or disability on its own, having BIF can increase the risk of various social, educational, occupational, and health challenges. Despite affecting a significant portion of the population, BIF often goes unrecognized, leaving many without appropriate support.

How does BIF impact parents?

This study aimed to understand how having BIF affects parents’ mental health and use of healthcare services. The researchers analyzed data from a large survey of adults in England to compare parents with and without BIF.

Some key findings about parents with BIF compared to other parents:

• Higher rates of common mental disorders like anxiety and depression
• More likely to have severe mental illness
• Higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• More likely to report self-harm or suicide attempts
• More likely to see their doctor for mental health concerns
• More likely to receive mental health treatment

These results suggest that parents with BIF face greater mental health challenges and have higher needs for support and treatment. However, the study also found that parents with BIF were not more likely to see a psychiatrist, despite their increased mental health issues. This indicates there may be barriers preventing them from accessing specialized mental healthcare.

How does being a parent affect mental health?

The study found that being a parent was associated with higher rates of common mental disorders like anxiety and depression, regardless of intellectual functioning. After accounting for other factors, parents were:

• 47% more likely to have a common mental disorder
• 47% more likely to have seen their doctor about mental health in the past year
• 32% more likely to be receiving mental health treatment

This suggests the demands of parenting may increase the risk of mental health issues for many adults. Interestingly, the study did not find that being a parent with BIF led to additional mental health problems beyond the separate effects of having BIF and being a parent.

The researchers also looked at how factors like gender and employment affected mental health in parents:

• Female parents were more likely to receive mental health treatment than male parents
• Employment status did not significantly change the relationship between being a parent and mental health outcomes

What are the implications?

This research highlights that parents with BIF are a vulnerable group with high rates of mental health problems who may benefit from specialized support. Some key implications and recommendations:

• Healthcare providers should be trained to recognize BIF and understand how it may impact mental health and parenting
• Mental health treatments and parenting interventions may need to be adapted for those with BIF
• More research is needed on the experiences and needs of fathers with BIF, as most existing studies focus on mothers
• Public health efforts should aim to increase awareness of BIF and reduce stigma
• Improved access to specialized mental healthcare services for people with BIF is needed

The study authors note that people with BIF often fall through the cracks - their cognitive limitations may go unrecognized, but they don’t qualify for services designed for those with intellectual disabilities. Developing clearer ways to identify and support this group could help many struggling parents and families.

Limitations to consider

While this study provides valuable insights, there are some limitations to keep in mind:

• The data came from a survey at one point in time, so it can’t show cause-and-effect relationships
• People with more severe cognitive impairments or mental health issues may have been less likely to participate in the survey
• The measure of BIF was based only on an estimate of IQ, not a full assessment of cognitive and adaptive functioning
• The study didn’t distinguish between parents actively raising children versus those with adult children
• Cultural factors weren’t examined, as the study focused on English-speaking adults in England

More research, especially long-term studies following parents and children over time, is needed to better understand how BIF impacts families and what interventions are most helpful.

Conclusions

• Parents with borderline intellectual functioning face a higher burden of mental health issues compared to other parents
• Being a parent is associated with increased risk of common mental disorders for adults in general
• While parents with BIF are more likely to receive some mental health treatment, they may still have unmet needs for specialized care
• Healthcare systems and social services should work to better identify and support parents with borderline intellectual functioning

This study sheds light on the mental health challenges faced by a large but often overlooked group of parents. With greater awareness and targeted support, we may be able to improve outcomes for parents with borderline intellectual functioning and their families.