Strengthening Collaboration on Intergenerational Mental Health

A key meeting was recently held between Prof. Dr. Rabia Khawar, Chairperson, Department of Applied Psychology, Government College University Faisalabad, and Dr. Owais Karim, Assistant Professor & Head of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Nishtar Hospital Multan. The meeting aimed to review progress and foster deeper collaboration on the ongoing HEC-funded project titled:

“Patterns of Risk and Protective Factors in Intergenerational Transfer of Mental Illness” (HEC-GCF-844).

Highlights of the Meeting:

• Introduction of New Project Personnel: A formal introduction of the new data collection team working under the GCF-844 project.

• Performance Evaluation: Monitoring and reviewing the field performance and ethics of current data collectors.

• Strategic Discussion: Both institutions explored new avenues for collaboration across various domains in psychology and psychiatry.

• Future Planning: Discussion extended beyond the current project scope, focusing on sustained partnerships and further joint initiatives.

About the GCF-844 Project

This multi-phase research investigates how mental illness is transferred across generations in Pakistan. The project focuses on both risk and protective factors — including social, familial, and psychological variables — and aims to:

• Develop a Family Assessment System (FAS) for identifying vulnerable youth.

• Create and validate indigenous social capital measures.

• Analyze internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems in children of mentally ill parents (COPMI).

• Explore resilience factors and the role of parental acceptance/rejection.

Key Research Findings:

• Children of parents with mental illness (COPMI) show significantly more emotional and behavioral challenges than their peers.

• Maternal neglect and paternal lack of warmth are key predictors of both externalizing and internalizing problems.

• Social capital, resilience, and adaptive coping mechanisms emerged as crucial protective factors.

• Caregivers, especially women, reported higher perceived stigma and lower quality of life.

• Valid and reliable tools were developed and standardized, including the Family Assessment Scale and multiple social capital scales.

Project Outcomes So Far:

• Over 7 psychological scales developed and validated.

• Workshops and training sessions for field researchers and mental health professionals.

• Dissemination of findings via national/international conferences and journal publications.

• Development of Hybrid-Psychosocial resources for COPMI and caregivers.

This collaborative effort marks a significant step toward bridging psychology and psychiatry in Pakistan, enhancing the nation’s capacity to support mental health across generations.