Perceptions of the Project
depression, affective illness, affectively ill
SAID
Overall, young adult participants were quite positive about the study, rating the question “Are you glad you are in the project?” (1 indicating ‘not at all happy’, 4 indicating ‘moderately happy’, and 7 indicating ‘very happy’), on average, 5.5 (SD = 1.3). Young adults felt the study helped communication with their parents moderately (Mean = 3.6, SD = 1.8), and noted that study participation helped improve their relationships with their parents somewhat (Mean = 2.6, SD = 1.7). Specifically, they rated ease of communication about family affective illness with their affectively ill parents, on average, 4.9 (SD = 1.6), and, only slightly higher (Mean = 5.0, SD = 1.4) with the non-ill parent. About half the respondents (16= yes, 17= no, and remainder either did not respond to the question or had no siblings) said they talked to their siblings about parental depression and found it helpful (Mean = 4.7, SD = 1.4, on a 7-point scale). According to the young adults, study participation also increased their understanding of affective illness considerably (Mean = 4.2, SD = 1.6). Young adults positively rated the study’s effect on seeking help for mental health concerns, rating the question, “Did [the project] make it easier or make you feel more comfortable about seeking mental health services?” (1 indicating ‘stayed the same’ and 7 indicating ‘made it much easier’), on average, at 4.5 (SD = 1.7). Parents agreed that the study made it easier for them to seek mental health services for either themselves or their children (Mean = 4.5, SD = 1.8). 